My town has stupid rules about owning chickens

[theFox]

BTW chickachicka3 welcome to the forum and sorry your first posting had to be about even being able to have fuzzy butts.

 

[nonseq]

Even if you have clean hands, you are asking that official to do something out of his "comfort zone." Something that is out of the ordinary, not rote, and something he has to think about or do something about. Also there is always an element of power or status in human interactions. People can gain status from imposing control over others. This may be accomplished by being the person who says "NO" or by being the person who says "YES." Granting favors or accommodating another's wishes actually gives the grantor power/status. I would much rather have a person pleased that he is in a position to do a favor than to have that person ticked off and showing his power in a more negative way.

That's my Soc 101/Working w/People lesson for today.

 

[tasymo]

Polite and Charming, yes. Apologetic... absolutely NOT. Why give the "Powers that Be" any indication that having chickens is something to apologize for?? Be calm and polite, but make it clear that this is something you are determined to do, and that you are following the rules.

 

[chickachicka3]

Thanks everyone for all the help!
I'm probably going to back to town hall this weekend
I'll keep you all posted, wish me luck!

Oh, and also TheFox,
The ordinance does not include the run... just the coop and it should be 75 feet away from the closest point

 

[theFox]

Quote:
Oh my Soc 101, I guess Psychology 101 must apply somewhere here as well.

There is one thing that I expect my town officials to do and that is to toe to the regulations (unfortunately there are thousands of instances where this isn't always the case).

They are not the rule makers nor are they the enforcers (some of them may think they are and act as though they are).

I've had plenty of opportunities to "guide" several of those that think they are unto other career paths.

The OP was not asking anything that should be outside the "comfort zone" of the town officials who are hired to do exactly what was asked of them. There is a very old saying that goes if you can't stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen (there are many versions of this, some that the forum owners would likely take great exception to).



chickachicka3,

Good luck.