Neighbors object, even though bylaws allow it...

[Wifezilla]

Any future meetings with these clowns and I would have a tape recorder of some sort. It's obvious you can't trust them.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
you and I do not always see eye to eye, but I am with you on this one..

do not sneak the tape recorder in, though , tape yourself presenting it to the meeting so that they cannot come back at you about hidden devices...

I fought with the IRS for 12 years, and that is how we brought tape recorders into use at our meetings..

 

[ChickieNikki]

Thank you all for your thoughtful (and funny) and fabulous responses. The nearby neighbors are already planning to bring their kids to see the chicks as soon as I get them. By the time the meeting takes place, I'll be able to say I have twenty-some chickens, but because they won't be yard-ready yet, everyone will be SHOCKED because "Oh, really? I had no idea--haven't even seen them!" That'll take the wind out of anyone's problem with them being some sort of nuisance--what's a nuisance that you can't see or hear? As for local ordinances, we live in such a rural farm county that there isn't actually a zoning or planning board or any zoning laws at all--you could build house, a barn or even a nuclear reactor and they can't stop you at the county level! Literally no laws at all. Takes away that bit of potential bureaucracy!

I'm considering wearing a "Chillin with my peeps" shirt to the meeting--I think that'll be a more gentle approach (though my nature is to go with the more direct and sarcastic, I'm willing to tone myself down so as not to risk my little project.)

Thanks for suggesting that I should be prepared with the perfect one-liner to spit back out--I'm going to work on that. And I will be requesting that anyone who has concerns about an actual, existing problem my chickens are causing (as of the meeting--not hypothetical problems, or concerns about what might happen but hasn't), raise their hand and speak up in front of the meeting so I can address them directly. Hey, if I'm supposed to speak out and if I'm being "targeted" by name, I would like to have everyone with objections speak out and identify themselves by name--they like to do this index card crap where if you're too chicken (no pun intended) to speak out and be identified, you can anonymously submit an index card with a complaint. Not this time--I will actually refuse to address any concerns that aren't brought to me by a named neighbor. Not because I want to butt heads with anyone specifically, but because it's only fair that if I can be singled out for doing something that I'm PERMITTED to do, I shouldn't be the only one required to stand up at the meeting and be identified as some sort of "problem." You gotta problem? If you want me to address it, don't hide behind your stinkin' index card!! I'm also considering making a list of addresses where there are chickens within 1/2 mile of the subdivision (I think there are chickens on the adjacent property to 3 of the complainers, outside the subdivision, but far closer to them than my lot is)--I'd love to be able to say, "Well, at 1234 Barn Road, they have 16 chickens and 3 roosters, and they're only 600 feet from you, and I'm half a mile away--have you had any problems with them?"

And believe it or not, other than a few, most people here are farm-types, moved here to be in the wide open space, and do what they want and be left the {bleep} alone. I wasn't prepared last year to have the CondoCanyonCrowd lose their composure with me, but this year, I've got the BYC-ers on my side, and I'll be fully prepared!! THANKS ALL! Meeting is the 1st week of May--I will DEFINITELY post an update!

 

[poltroon]

By the way, I don't know the dynamics of your association, but if they use Roberts Rules of Order, the first two items on the agenda for the next meeting should include formal adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting - ie, the ones that go out are a draft until they are formally approved by a motion and vote.

As such, at the next meeting, you could say at that time that you do not agree that the minutes reflect the discussion. Work out something very calm, cool, and matter of fact if this is a standard part of the meeting structure.