Officer (Leskin) Well I swear this is never ending post 306

[allison finch]

I have to be very careful how I post this. First, let me say that I am a police sgt. and I also have chickens in town (legally).

I deal with people who are "difficult" all the time. Most people like these know the law far better than I do and will not listen to a word being said. I have read the OP's posts and, I am sure I would have had a problem talking with her too.

I do not know the officer's demeanor or details of what he has said. The whole issue is the law, here. It is either legal to have chickens, or not. If it is not legal, fight it in Town Hall. The officer is simply trying to enforce the law and he should not be jammed up for it. Certainly, there are some officers who allow themselves to be drawn into "pi**ing matches". But I often find this is a reaction to a situation going badly in the first place.

Please, remember we are only hearing one side of a problem and we should be very careful on basing judgements based on this information.

 

[scbatz33]

Holly has been having an issue with her township for months. They tell her it's illegal but then refused to provide the ordinances when asked - repeatedly. They have held meetings but refuse to allow her to be heard while the neighbor lady gets in all the face time she wants. The police have been out harassing her repeatedly but have never once been able to provide the supposed written laws and ordinances she is breaking.

She even had one of her "neighbors" log in here only to call her names and threaten her in a not so subtle manner.

This situation is NOT about a police officer doing his job. It is about a couple of "we've been here since the dawn of time and we dictate what goes on" people in her township who have decided that she is the enemy and are making no bones about doing everything they can to try and make her move. This INCLUDES the local LEO.

Give 'em hell Holly!!! Do you need a couple roosters?? How about a draft horse? I'll loan it to ya!!!

 

[Holly O]

Well to build a privacy fence tall enough it would need to be about 25 - 30 feet high. She can see in my computer room, dinning room and the two kids bedrooms. Their are curtains, but I like them open at times, for the sunlight. Otherwise my house would be like a dark cave.
Besides I'm not doing anything against the law... or anything overly exciting ...lol
It was and still is the family home, my husband grew up here. it's been in his family for 45 years. The neighbor is the same she has lived there 30 years. Tom and I have only lived here for two years since my MIL died.

I have no plans on moving. She can either accept it or be miserable. Her choice. She happens to be making my life a bit difficult at the moment. Oh well. I choose to ignore her for the most part.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Yes, if you go back and read the threads Holly posted links to at the beginning of this thread you will see the whole history. Before she got chickens she asked if they were legal and was told "yes." Later her neighbor complained and they said "none." Then they said "three or four." I'm sorry, but laws do not say "three or four." They are very specific. She was finally able to get a copy of the ordinance they are citing and it says nothing at all about allowing or disallowing chickens. Not even in a round about way.

 

[Holly O]

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Thank you sweetie. I hope the job hunt it going well for you!

 

[Holly O]

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I respect that very much.
I'm not one trying to break the law or cause problems. What I've been told is conflicting information. and nothing I've researched or have been given has verified anything. My lawyer has gone over it all with me and he can not see the what they are saying and how it applies.
It all seems to be a judgment call on the officers part, and he will not change his mind. Even that I respect. But when he can't cite the exact law I'm breaking..... What then?
THAT is why I would like this to go to court.

 

[allison finch]

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I understand what we have all been told and I am not casting any doubts, but we are only hearing one side of this story. That can lead to some major.....uh........misunderstandings.

 

[allison finch]

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If that is the case, then fight it at the Town Hall. Don't let personal feelings cast aspersions on the parties involved.

Make the move to have a clarified ordinance put in place. Getting all upset and angry will alienate the very people who will be needed to make this ordinance go through.

 

[WalkingWolf]

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I am curious what gave you the impression she would be 'difficult'. I found all of her posts to clear and concise. She only wants to keep her chickens in a town that really never had a chicken restriction. The local LEO if he did participate in a closed meeting concerning her broke the law. This sorta stuff happens in small towns all the time and it is overlooked, does not make it right. I am dismayed that the Police Chief is involved in this to begin with. The matter should have been handled by zoning enforcement. Her disagreement is not a slight on any other officer but the one involved, and I am sure she respects most LEOs. She deserves the same respect despite what other difficult people you have dealt with, they were not her.

No disrespect towards you or any other officer, I appreciate your service. But I try to give every person the benefit of the doubt and her posts have proved she is top notch.

 

[allison finch]

I based my response on post # 4. It just seemed a bit....strong.

I ALWAYS hesitate to rely too much on one side of a very heated situation. Too often things seem to get out of context that way.

We should all be discussing the ways to introduce ordinance clarification techniques than feeding the fires. She needs help to not alienate the very people she will need to effect the necessary changes that will benefit all (except maybe the neighbor ).