A BEAUTIFULLY articulated letter sent to the council on our behalf. Thank you, Farm Girl in Training!
Recently, a dear friend and several people she knows began a grassroots effort to shut down a local puppy mill. It all started with pictures posted on Facebook at the beginning of January. Within a month, the dogs were seized and the “owner” (hesitate to use that word) has been charged. I did my part by helping get the word out about these dogs.
Now, I’m trying to do my part again.
Earlier today, I shared a blog post by Collingwood Farm about the proposed zoning changes that would affect them directly. You can read all about it here. In an effort to help them and keep their farm going, here is the letter I sent to their city council members:
Dear Council Members:
I am writing on behalf of Collingwood Farm. I have been informed of the proposed changes to local zoning laws and would like to…
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I wrote out another message to the City Council that I don’t mind sharing with you. I would have shared my first one, but I didn’t click “Copy” once I was done, but you will find the same message reiterated. Enjoy!
Dear Solon City Council,
I am writing to you again in support of local farming that will be hurt extensively by your proposed zoning law that would prohibit how many chickens and livestock that would be allowed on private property.
I am not going to lie in that my brother and sister-in-law own a farm in Solon that has added to the city’s appeal. They are doing no harm to the city by providing a healthier source of produce to the community and to the city in general. They are doing no harm in raising chickens that give them fresh, non-pesticide ridden eggs and grow non-genetically modified, non-pesticide vegetables and fruit that have made meals healthier to enjoy. They are doing no harm in being able to have the federal and state government support them in improving the way they grow and produce these items to sell, drawing people to the city and supporting their local businesses. What does harm is to have a zoning law that would prohibit them from doing what they enjoy and making their neighborhood and city a better place.
To my knowledge, at the growing rate of urban farming in Cleveland, I don’t see why Solon can’t hop on that notion that has drawn people back to the city and has made the culture of the city more appealing to its citizenry as well as those touring the area. I don’t see why the idea of healthy economic competition is frightening just because the signage doesn’t have a retail name attached to it. There is no purpose to sacrificing a good thing for the city as a whole, unless the person or people behind this idea has an ulterior motive that has nothing to do with the farmers, small business owners, and body stylists, in which case, that matter needs to be addressed not at the price of the citizenry.
Please amend and support your citizenry who only want to provide sustainable options to your city.
Sincerely,
Tim Collingwood