Blue, Red,Green and ...

So, can you reject the one dimensional liberal/conservative grid – and where do you go? There are all these talking heads that say you can’t be socially conservative and fiscally liberal. The conversation they have about Bush being a social conservative and a fiscal liberal failed to ask the all the questions. Does spending money on Homeland Security make him a liberal and not raising taxes make him a conservative. According to Stockman, Reagan held the same types of fiscal positions that Bush used and I don’t see conservatives criticizing him. Of course, Reagan was gifted at holding irreconcilable views at the same time. The fact is, all of us do!
Is being socially conservative against the law because someone’s rights are potentially restricted? Check the zoning code for restricted rights. Maybe it just matters what rights are being restricted. I watched a woman representing a social organization on television indicate that someone should not be able to show a pro-life commercial during the Super Bowl. She was willing to remove someone else’s right to free speech without any reservation to protect her pro-choice position. How does she reconcile her views? Fortunately, I don’t smoke or drink or maybe I'd think these rights were being restricted.
Again – how many dimensions can your grid have? What do you call someone who believes that if the community decides to spend money, they should raise the taxes to pay the related costs? If the community decides to not spend the money, the taxes aren’t an issue. The next question becomes a social issue of how was the social equity/justice issue handled and the related moral/cultural issues. There is an assumption that the principal task of government is to secure and distribute fairly the liberties and economic resources individuals need to lead freely chosen lives. Do I believe that all American governments (federal, state, local) have an obligation to provide some balancing between individual rights and the needs of the community to provide the most freedom for all?
For example, U.S. citizens may be more willing to sacrifice a social or economic right in cases of conflict with a civil or political right: if neither the constitution nor a majority of democratically elected representatives support universal access to health care, then the right to health care regardless of income can be curtailed. In contrast, the Chinese may be more willing to sacrifice a civil or political liberty in cases of conflict with a social or economic right: there may be wide support for restrictions on the right to form independent labor associations if they are necessary to provide the conditions for economic development. Different priorities assigned to rights can also matter when it must be decided how to spend scarce resources.
I see both the left and the right being responsible for our current problems. The political left supports welfare rights economically unsustainable in an era of slow growth and aging populations. They also push for shifting power away from local communities and democratic institutions and towards centralized bureaucratic structures better equipped to administer the fair and equal distribution of benefits, thus leading to a growing sense of powerlessness and alienation from the political process. Moreover, the modern welfare state with its universalizing logic of rights and entitlements has undermined family and social ties in civil society by rendering excessive requirements to communities, by actively discouraging private efforts to help others (e.g., strict regulations in prevent people from participating voluntarily in the governance of local organization), and even by providing incentives that discourage the formation of families (e.g., welfare payments are cut off in many American states if a recipient marries a working person) and encourage the break-up of families (e.g., no-fault divorce in the US is often financially rewarding for the non custodial parent, usually the father).
I find the solutions favored by the political right have contributed directly to the erosion of social responsibilities and valued forms of communal life, particularly in the US. Far from producing beneficial community consequences, the invisible hand of unregulated free-market capitalism undermines the family (e.g., few corporations provide enough leave to parents of newborn children), disrupts local communities (e.g., following plant closings or the shifting of corporate headquarters), and corrupts the political process (e.g., US politicians are often dependent on economic interest groups for their political survival, with the consequence that they no longer represent the community at large). Moreover, the glorification of greed in our most recent era justified the extension of instrumental considerations governing relationships in the marketplace into spheres previously informed by a sense of uncalculated reciprocity and civil obligation. This trend has been reinforced by increasing globalization, which pressures states into conforming to the dictates of the international marketplace.
Wow, there are a lot of books about how to fix these problems and as soon as one’s done there’s another to criticzie it.
Where do I fit in this society?
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/communitarianism/#UniVerPar#UniVerPar

My Weak Spot

The other day I chuckled when I read in the newspaper that a local Town Chairman stated that towns were the most efficient form of government. What are they the most efficient at?
Town governments can be found in rural areas because, by law, they govern areas not included within the city or village boundaries. But towns can be urbanized and provide services similar to cities, but generally they don’t.
A town’s most important responsibility is usually to provide road maintenance, often in cooperation with the county in which the town is located. Towns also may provide other services to their residents, such as garbage service, fire and police protection, and zoning. Most town services overlap and are primarily provided by the county or a close city. The majority of county revenues come from cities. This seems pretty efficient to me.
The main parks in the town are provided by the county and town residents couldn’t tell the difference between city parks and county parks. When’s the last time you talked to your town recreation director? Cities maintain their voter registration database and the county maintains the towns. The list goes on and on.
Ask your Town Supervisor what his policy development process is, what the town’s police powers are and how they apply due process? There are some very well run towns in the state, but most are barely above mob rule.
Towns in Wisconsin are the benefactors of government revenue design more then efficient. On a full measurement method considering services, level of service and revenue systems – cities and villages on a percentage basis will be more efficient and effective.

City Funds

The governing board of each public depositor shall, by resolution, designate one or more public depositories, organized and doing business under the laws of this state or federal law and located in this state, in which the treasurer of the governing board shall deposit all public moneys received by him or her and specify whether the moneys shall be maintained in time deposits or savings deposits subject to the limitations of ss. 66.04 (2), demand deposits or savings deposits and whether a surety bond or other security shall be required to be furnished under s. 34.07 by the public depository to secure the repayment of such depository for all treasurers of the governing board and for all public depositors for which each treasurer shall act.
A treasurer who deposits public moneys in any public depository, in compliance with s. 34.05, is thereby relieved of liability for any loss of public moneys which results from the failure of any public depository to repay to the public depositor the full amount of its deposits thus causing a loss as defined in s. 34.01(2).

Maybe Today

Leadership can be defined in many ways; still, it ultimately is the art of helping people work together to achieve a common purpose and is a critical factor in the work of advancing community.
The following is one of my favorite definitions:
"The first job of a leader is to define a vision for the organization.... Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." — Warren Bennis,
I believe that a leader must have the intellectual capacity to perform in ways that understands the needs of others. Leaders apply this ability through key attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, skills and empathy.
I believe that a leader must be able to develop positive interpersonal relationships with others. To inspire those around them, there are certain things they must be, know, and, do. These generally do not come naturally or can be it be easily taught, but are most often acquired through continual practice, application and perception. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their leadership skills; they are not resting on their laurels.
Ultimately, leadership is about results initiated by the leader and developed and completed through group members that result in satisfying the group's goals. Leaders must have an honest understanding of who they are, what they know, and what they can do. Because it is the followers, not the leader who determines if a leader is successful. If they do not trust or lack confidence in their leader, then they will be uninspired. To be successful you have to convince your followers, not yourself or your superiors, that you are worthy of being followed.
Leadership is not an egocentric endeavor, but rather creates a sense of community accomplishment that allows most of the community to feel their objectives have been met. Leaders can make people feel that they have been led where they wanted to go. Colin Powell states that great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand and remember.
There have been all kinds of leaders in history from every endeavor - battles, business, education, social, politics, etc. But what exactly separates the "great" leaders, such as, Jesus Christ, Ghandi, Lincoln and Martin Luther King from Hilter, Stalin and Jim Jones? Not every leader stood for something positive, powerful and larger than life. Truly great leaders have a community vision - that provides for a positive future, without abusing, exploiting, cheating or sacrificing people for "selfish" gains. And, most importantly, they showed the way by leading upfront.
Development of community leaders is a never-ending process beginning with the identification of potential leaders, drawing them into areas of involvement, and providing them opportunities to lead. Because teaching leadership is very difficult, you should - indeed, I would say you must - learn how to lead through application. Even people who do think of themselves as leaders can develop leadersip skills through practice.
You have to choose to be a leader. Easier said than done, but it really is that simple. Becoming a better leader is as much a state of mind as anything else. You can develop your leadership capacity, if you want to, no matter how many people (even if none) are reporting to you as their boss. Is there anyone stopping you? The only person who can do so is the one in the mirror.

The Gateway

The City of Lake Mills is situated on Interstate Highway 94 between Madison and Milwaukee. Tens of thousands of cars and trucks go between Madison and Milwaukee on a daily basis. This location affords the City a tremendous advantage in recruiting residents, businesses and industries.

The first intersection that one comes to when entering Lake Mills from the Interstate is STH 89 and Tyranena Road. It consists of typical highway commercial uses with significant amounts of vacant land. There are also a few residences scattered among the commercial uses.

The origin of the actual current configuration of commercial uses directly on the four corners of the intersection was not historic except for the vacant gas station on the southeast corner. The other uses are fairly recent and were “carved” out of the larger vacant parcels on both the northeast and northwest quadrants of the intersection. Consequently, there was no careful consideration to types of land uses, relationship to each other, ingress and egress considerations, and other types of planning and design criteria that are now used within the City.

An Opportunity Analysis was recently completed. This Opportunity Analysis analyzed all the different land use and design issues in the four quadrants of this intersection. Recommendations and goals and objectives were listed to help guide a more cohesive, logical growth to this area.

Because the current proposed TID boundary is essentially all developed land with a few small vacant lots, redevelopment and its accompanying tools, including tax increment financing, must be used to comprehensively address all the different issues related to this intersection.

This entry to the City of Lake Mills will not fully realize its potential without public improvements in infrastructure and, more importantly, a public commitment to redevelopment.

The creation of Tax Increment Finance District No. 4 (TID No. 4) would provide the financing vehicle for the City to undertake the public improvements necessary to stimulate private reinvestment and redevelopment within this significant area of the community. Without these redevelopment tools and public improvements, it is unlikely that any significant redevelopment or revitalization of this area would occur. In fact, it is more likely that continued illogical land uses and economically blighted vacant land will dominate this area and not contribute to the aesthetic and economic vitality of the entry to Lake Mills.

The purpose of TID No. 4 is to provide the necessary improvements in public infrastructure to eliminate blight, encourage economic development and increase property values. This project plan is written to provide funding for infrastructure improvements aimed at stimulating and enhancing economic development opportunities within the City of Lake Mills.

TID legislation changed in 2004 and 2005 with the passage of bills that created a new type of tax increment financing district called a “mixed-use” district. This district has a spending period of 15 years and a retirement period of 20 years. However, should the district not be financially feasible within the 20-year required time period for retirement, in the 18th year, the City may request of the Joint Review Board a 3-year extension for retirement. If the City provides an audit showing the inability to pay the indebtedness off within 20 years, the Joint Review Board must grant that extension.

One other significant change in the law also allows for cash grants to be given for specified redevelopment projects. Lastly, the City may amend the boundary up to four times. More properties may be included but the new law allows for properties to be taken out of the district. As with the older law, any projects undertaken within the amended area must be extensions of public purpose projects within the original TID project plan.

This project plan has been prepared in compliance with Sec. 66.1105(4)(f), Wis. Stats and the new changes. The project plan establishes a need for the project, lists the proposed improvements within TID No. 4, provides an estimated time schedule for completion of the project as well as an estimated budget. This project plan is to be adopted by the City Council on the recommendation of the City Plan Commission. The TID Project Plan and Redevelopment District No. 2 will be the official plans and guides for public and private sector development within their respective boundaries.

Implementation of the project plan and construction of the proposed improvements listed will still require case by case authorization by the City Council. Public expenditures for projects listed in the project plan should and will be based on market conditions and the status of development at the time the project is scheduled for construction. The City Council is not mandated to make the public expenditures in this plan. The public expenditures are an itemization of TIF-eligible project costs that the City may undertake as well as a guide for the Plan Commission and City Council to assist them in the decision-making process for public expenditures. Redistribution of project costs within the total budget estimate will not require amendments to the plan, provided that the project meets the purpose and intent of TID No. 4.

What's Our Capacity

Decision-makers basically deal with two definitions of the capacity of a physical system which produces a product of goods or services. One is that the capacity is equal to the maximum quantity of output which the system can produce, considering only physical limitations on production. For example, one might be interested in the capacity of a system of power plants to produce electric power. This output level is, of course, limited by both the number and size of generators and the availability of fuel. This definition of capacity focuses solely on maximizing the output, and ignores other factors which may make achievement of such an output unlikely. For example, in some systems marginal costs may become very large when output approaches this capacity. This concept of capacity is often termed ultimate capacity.

The other basic definition of capacity recognizes that the cost may be far too large at the ultimate capacity for such a level of output to be practically or economically attainable. This suggests the other basic definition of capacity: the maximum output at which cost does not exceed a maximum acceptable value. This concept is termed economic capacity in economics literature and practical capacity in the engineering literature. The term cost is deliberately left vague, for the specific measure used varies with the situation, in some cases being average cost, in others marginal cost, etc.

These definitions all refer to the quantity of output of the system of interest. This naturally raises the question of how the output of an entire system is to be defined. In most cases where capacity has been estimated, there is usually defined – or assumed -- a single, homogeneous output of the system being considered. For example, in the case of a manufactured product, the quantity of output would be simply a count of that particular product produced. If there is only one product, or if the variations in the product are rather minor, such that one measurement can be applied to all of the different products, then there is no difficulty in defining a single measure of output. This is the case for the individual components of systems for which capacity is often estimated, as described previously. But in the case of an entire city system, the output is very heterogeneous, encompassing many links as well as other elements of the system. This necessitates a discussion of the system output in detail.

If we consider a city system from the perspective of a physical system, the product of that system probably is most appropriately considered as the delivery of things -- services or objects -- from one provider to an appropriate recipient. Thus, at the microscopic level of a service delivery by a provider of a single service, such as zoning, the product of the city system would be a change in zoning on the individual’s property. Along with this change in zoning come a number of concomitant changes. One is a change in all the possible future uses of the property. Usually, associated with zoning will be some other changes, some of which may reflect the reason for which the zoning is affected. For example, in the case of commercial zoning, it usually results in an increase in the value of the property and surrounding properties, offsetting the cost to society of affecting the previous uses. In addition, other features may change which make the zoning more or less desirable, such as possible deterioration or improving of buildings as a result of the zoning. Thus there may be changes in the state or condition of the property as a result of a government service delivery.

Similarly, the delivery of snow management will have features of ultimate, practically or economically attainable capacity. Waiting until there is enough snow to justify the mobilization of snowplows and employees for a period long enough to make practical and relatively economical a non-routine task. Other issues may be involved in timing delivery for a desired level of service. Such things as the rate and accumulation of snowfall, moisture content, temperature, time of day or night, wind direction and velocity as well as duration of the event are all factors that interact to create a unique aspect for each storm with the result that no two storms are ever identical. All these issues affect the timing and level of the service delivery. The basic definition of capacity recognizes that the cost may be far too large at the ultimate capacity for such a level of output to be practically or economically attainable.

From the viewpoint of the city system as a whole, the problem is that the output is heterogeneous, that is, there are many products. Each service is truly unique in some aspects although many of these may be unimportant in terms of overall measures of output or capacity. If categories of attributes can be specified such that every service can be classified into one category, then the output could be described by a measure giving the quantity of services in each category.

Impact Fees 2

The fairness and benefit issues between taxes, rates and fees may become irrelevant when tax revenue is not an option. Currently though, most government services use some combination of the three revenue sources. Each service may benefit some individuals more than others. They are consumed by both those able to pay and those unable to pay. Roads, fire protection, public recreation, education are provided to all levels of users, water and sewer are among the many kinds of services that fall in a middle category. Financing such services solely out of taxes or rates may represent an unfair distribution of the burden between those who use a lot and those who use little or none of these services. Financing solely out of fees and charges would result in producing too little of the service (because the price would not reflect the public benefits) and would be burdensome on the poor. So governments at all levels use a mixture of taxes, rates and fees or charges. Some spending is financed solely out of taxes, some solely by rates, some solely by fees, but a great many government services are financed by a combination of the three.

Impact Fees

Though the City has used impact fees for years, many public officials, developers, and the general populace still do not understand the basis for impact fees. There is a need for a practical discussion of the philosophical reasons used to develop impact fee policies and why the city uses them.

Philosophical discussions about the need for impact fees and related policy issues effect many city decisions. However, the basic rationale for charging impact fees is that new development should pay the costs associated with growth. Conversely, the existing residents should only bear the costs of improving existing services.

New development requires the expansion of existing facilities and because they are solely responsible for the expansion, the new development should pay for the cost of providing the expanded facilities. The cost of projects needed to support growth is financed with impact fees based on some measurement of a development's impact on future needs. Through impact fees, new development pays the full marginal cost of providing facilities necessary to accommodate growth. Impact fees, then, offset many of the subsidies of new development that occur in rate or tax financing. Impact fees are not intended to replace rates which are used for operational expenses and to pay for capital improvements to correct an existing deficiency or shortfall.

The impact fees become a one-time charge applied to new development. Impact fees are related to land-use regulation and are designed to assure that communities maintain adequate levels of public facilities in the face of growth. The resulting revenue generated for the construction or expansion of new facilities is coincidental to a city’s land-use regulatory (i.e. police power) purpose. Were it not for growth many communities would have adequate public facilities and often if growth is at a manageable pace adequate public facilities can be provided concurrent with the impacts of growth. To assure adequate public facilities, impact fees are assessed and dedicated principally for the provision of additional water and sewer systems, schools, libraries, parks and recreation facilities, and other infrastructure made necessary by the presence of new residents in the area. The funds collected cannot be used for operation and maintenance, repair, alteration, or replacement of capital facilities.

Impact fees have developed substantially throughout the United States and have been used in a wide variety of forms covering different types of infrastructure in varying amounts around the country. These changes have taken place through legislation, regulations and court cases. While the process can be rather complex, the underlying fee principles are now better defined and more straightforward than in the past. Indeed, it may be one reason impact fees have grown substantially in many communities.

The use of impact fees to finance public facilities necessary to accommodate new growth is a concept that has gained acceptance in recent years. There has been substantial development of theory, practical models, and legislation for determining growth-related costs and calculating impact fees for new construction.

Although impact fees do not alter total service or infrastructure costs, they do affect the distribution of these costs. Each community will need to make a policy decision about whether the cost of new infrastructure is charged directly to the new residents or shared, via higher rates or taxes, among all current residents. This is a sensitive issue because previous residents can refuse to raise the taxes needed for new facilities serving new people, or if the costs are charged to new users, previous residents can enjoy the benefits from the construction of new public facilities without paying for them.

By adopting impact fees, councils are attempting to ease the burden of current residents from the burden of paying for the provision of incremental infrastructure by shifting future infrastructure costs onto new residents. Therefore, new residents are essentially buying their way into the community.

The planning involved in Impact fees can be an instrument to guide development efficiently and accomplish the goals of the comprehensive plan. When impact fees are reasonably implemented, they allow local governments to finance construction improvements on a schedule that ensures that the improvements are in place to serve new development. Thus, an impact fee is an effective tool in guaranteeing adequate infrastructure to accommodate and facilitate growth in areas where there is a lack of public facilities, also eliminating substantial infrastructure costs in areas where there is little current development by avoiding a leapfrog urban sprawl pattern.

Adopting an impact fee scheme may carry additional costs to the city itself. First, all things being equal, businesses may choose to locate in a community without impact fees instead of one that has impact fees, thus retarding urban growth. Second, impact fees require local governments to engage in more professional and sophisticated capital facilities planning, requiring additional administrative staff with the necessary skills.

Thus, a disadvantage of the impact fee scheme is that it is more complicated and expensive to implement. A fee system may also reduce the price of undeveloped land because impact fees act as a deterrent to develop open land.

Thoughts for Today

Arie de Gues
Your ability to learn faster than your competition is your only sustainable competitive advantage.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering. And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors. If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.

Albert Camus
But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads?

Negative Loop

While the cleanup of public management comments can appear to be for the betterment of the City, there are other explanations for the demonstrations of council members. “It’s grandstanding,” and council members are notorious for this — for saying one thing one month and then three months later, coming around and trying to look like the hero in the media by accusing the Council and staff of not taking care of business when really, they’re just grandstanding. Sometimes they are gearing up for the next election or positioning to be council president, and they want to portray themselves as cost-savers and good financial managers and that sort of thing. When in reality, grandstanding is really a “negative feedback loop” between the public and council members.
If only negative feedback mechanisms are governing a system, we call this loop "imploding". For a rather exaggerated example, think of a person who loses appetite when preoccupied. Once she starts to worry, she loses weight; therefore being even more preoccupied seeing her state and losing even more weight, and so on. If nothing else stops this vicious circle (e.g. a societal help), imploding feedback loop leads to the self-destruction of the system.
Here, it’s during the correspondence agenda item that council meetings get hijacked by council members on a personal mission without any real thought of what may be best for the city.” They become grandstanders conducting themselves showily or ostentatiously in an attempt to impress onlookers rather then complete business. Public meetings were not created as opportunities for elected officials (or wannabe elected officials) to impress each other, the media or the public. The purpose of a public meeting is to accomplish the public’s business in as productive, efficient and professional manner as possible. There are generally systems set up to deal with their issues outside the business meeting where sticking the agenda is the mission.
Understanding the role and scope of responsibility of the Council may sometimes appear to be a daunting task with the sometimes conflicting goals of properly representing the City, being concerned with the entire community, keeping the lines of communication open, being conscious of your relationship to the rest of the City Council and City staff, and establishing a good relationship with other members. Inappropriate actions at Council meetings will damage many relationships.
Governance of a City relies on the cooperative efforts of elected officials, who set policy, and City staff, who implements and administers the Council’s policies. Therefore, every effort should be made to be cooperative and show mutual respect for the contributions made by each individual for the good of the community.

A Run For Office

Why don’t people want to serve their community as elected officials anymore? With no one running for the open Council seat and several open board and committee positions available there is certainly opportunity to step up.
Is it because of having to attending every council meeting and at least one committee meetings a month? May be it’s the need to learn all the issues that must be debated when attending the meetings. The need to discipline yourself to attend these meetings and be prepared for the issues can be intimidating.
May be it’s the fact that most people are not courteous anymore. You will probably be called names, threaten and harassed. People no longer want to courteously communicate in writing and sign their name. Their input lacks any knowledge of the issue and they expect you to act upon their input. The right to be heard does not automatically mean the right to be taken seriously.
People will expect that everything you do at council will be done perfectly. Politics is one of the few professions where absolutely no experience is required. What do you think when you see a job posting that says: “No experience required”? You think: low-level job. Rookie aldermen need to get some training and experience to become just average. The time needed for extra training government systems and how your council operates can take years and lots of hard work.
Most people running for Council don’t want to be the one who hasn't opened their background packet until they enter the chambers. They fear they don’t have the time to dedicate to responsible governing. There are some who don’t have this problem and have done nothing to prepare for the meetings. They open the packet and try to hide the fact that they are just opening the packet. Others joke about it and seem rather proud that they have not prepared for the meeting. There are some who have opened their packet before they enter the chambers but haven't read anything. They just are just as unprepared as those who just opened their packet, but are not as obvious. You can spot them because they are attempting to speed-read over the material.
Most people understand that the city council has to make decisions to solve problems. Problems are situations that have no good solutions. If there were good solutions, they would not be problems; they would be opportunities. Therefore, since there are no good solutions to the problem, whatever decision is reached could be interpreted to be dumb.
Can I now say that if these are your concerns – please run.

Wanna Do Something In Lake Mills

Checkout these sites:
http://www.whylegendary.com/

http://www.tyranena.com/#

http://www.lakemills.org/

http://www.lakemillsleaderonline.com/

http://www.orgsites.com/wi/aztalan/

http://www.rockrivercoalition.org/events/calendar.asp

http://www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com/Calendar_JCTC.asp?page=Calendar_JCTC.asp&yr=2010&mo=01&EventCity=&da=

Have fun!

Using Fees

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information on fees, their proper use, and the methods for calculating them. As with most public policy issues, the desirability of user fees hinges on two questions: do they increase or decrease economic efficiency, by leading to either a more or less desirable use of public resources, and do they promote fairness.
Everyone pays taxes, but only the users of a publicly provided service pay user fees. So when the users are only a small segment of the taxpaying population, it may be more fair to make that small minority pay for the service through their fees than have the majority pay for something they derive no benefit from. Taxes support general government functions such as public streets and public safety for which individual beneficiaries cannot be identified. Rather these services benefit the community as a whole.
Local governments may face special circumstances where a fee or charge has to be used when a tax would have been more appropriate. These special circumstances are generally related to some sort of artificial tax limit. With rising costs and property tax limits, local governments across Wisconsin are struggling to maintain existing programs.
We generally distinguish fees from charges although many people use the terms interchangeably. In this report, we will distinguish between user fees, charges and regulatory fees. Under standard guidelines, user fees and charges are defined as voluntary payments (“voluntary” in the sense that they are paid only to the extent the individual chooses to use the service) that are used to finance traditional governmental services such as water, sewerage, and mass transit (charge); recreational activities such as golf and swimming (fees); and miscellaneous programs such as animal shelters (fees), continuing education programs (fees), and dangerous tree removal (regulatory fees). These charges are for a particular benefit that an individual receives. The purpose of the fee is to recover all or part of the cost of providing the service. To the extent that the government charges the full cost of the service, it is trying to imitate the private market.
Another way to define user fees is that they must exhibit the following three characteristics: separability, voluntarism, and chargeability. A fee to use a pool fulfills these three criteria. The use of the pool can be separated out from other city services. It is easy to identify users of the pool – anyone who shows up to swim! The activity of swimming is completely voluntary. It is very easy to collect the fee at the entrance to the pool. The costs of running a pool can be clearly calculated; therefore it is not difficult to determine the fee that needs to be charged to cover the cost of maintaining and operating the pool.
The use of charges for traditional governmental services such as water and sewerage are separable and chargeable, but are not necessarily voluntary. The amount of water and sewerage tends to related to the uses of needed family activities, such as, bathing, cooking and toilets. These water and sewerage services are provided to almost everyone in the city and would be considered for a tax on this basis, but the charge prevents against the “free-rider” problem of some people over using a service while others must pay for it. Here “voluntary” is used in the sense that they pay only to the extent the individual chooses to use the service and is not considered completely voluntary like swimming.
A regulatory fee, on the other hand, is imposed as a result of a need to regulate activities for the public good, typically for public health, safety, or other protective purposes. Fees purchase a privilege or authorization that applies only to those individuals who want to engage in an activity deemed to have a significant impact on the health and well-being of the community as a whole. Regulatory fees are applied to such activities as restaurant inspections, landfill use, building permits, dog licenses, and marriage licenses. While the individual who pays the fee does not necessarily benefit personally from the service provided, the public does benefit. Furthermore, since a regulatory fee is not necessarily related to the cost of providing the service, this kind of fee does not try to approximate the private market.

Government of the Future

An Article in Governing titled Broke and Broken by Rob Gurwit requires real thought. We are not going to be able to react to this fiscal crisis as we have in the past. I recommend you find a copy and read it.
http://www.governing.com/magazine/current-issue

A Sad Change

I read with interest this morning an article about the lost art of compromise in Washington, DC with the retirement of several senators. This has been a complaint of mine for several years at the local level; I can’t imagine what its like at the federal level. Compromise is such a key part of legislation and ideologues have started to dominate the election process and any compromise could ruin a career. This can be the case even at the local level and many times the best legislators are lost.

The democratic process is messy and communication is a difficult process anyway. Jay W. Forrester states:
“Even when only a single topic is being discussed, each participant in a conversation employs a different mental model to interpret the subject. Fundamental assumptions differ but are never brought into the open. Goals are different but left unstated. It is little wonder that compromise takes so long. And even when consensus is reached, the underlying assumptions may be fallacies that lead to laws and programs that fail. The human mind is not adapted to understanding correctly the consequences implied by a mental model.”

John Nalbandian states:
1.Good government is about values – not the right answer.
2. Value conflicts require compromise and negotiation.
3. This means the need to promote inclusion and goal accomplishment.
4. Alignment is crucial

Elected Officials need to display consistent standards while also being sensitive to the need to compromise. The news media is not going to stop closely reporting every detail of the legislative process and the cameras are going to remain in the chambers so public scrutiny is going to be as great as ever. Elected officials need to perform ethically for the betterment of society and avoid political tunnel vision.

Issues can be more satisfactorily addressed to the extent that there are clear and accepted processes for considering options and reaching the compromise position. Ultimately, all good public policy is the result of community participation, political vision and the ability to compromise.

Potholes

The method that the City uses most often is "place and roll’ or "quick response" pothole patching. This method usually utilizes a two-man patch crew in a small dump truck assigned to repair potholes in specific areas in the city. The areas are assigned on the basis of traffic volume. Unlike quality patching, this type of repair is not intended to repair fatigued sections of pavement. Place and roll patching addresses an immediate need for filling potholes in the road with asphalt mix and making the road safe for the traveling public. City pothole patching crews can usually fix the majority of potholes before complaints are registered. We will attempt to fill the hole within 24 hours of notification at the Street Department and the weather allows. This type of response is needed to mitigate immediate risk to vehicles traveling on a city-paved road. Without this type of response, frequent vehicular damage from driving through potholes could occur.
Repair of potholes by place and roll patching is accomplished by:
1. Cleaning the hole with a broom (if needed).
2. Shoveling a pavement repair material into the pothole to the correct depth.
3. Raking the material smooth unless a self leveling material is used.
4. Compacting the asphalt mix by rolling the patch with the tires of the patch truck, using a vibratory plate compactor, or (with very small holes) using a hand compaction device.
Work zones for this type of work are categorized as "moving" work zones. Traffic lane closures are not needed.

Just a Street

Though Mulberry Street has been rated as being in very poor condition, the project is not in the five year capital plan for several reasons. The street is one of the few in the city that qualifies for a STP-Urban grant. The total infrastructure replacement costs for the project are estimated to be over $2 million. This includes storm sewers, water mains, sanitary sewers, curb & gutters, base, sidewalks and pavement. The financial position of the general fund and utilities was such that waiting for the grant was a reasonable option and the deteriorating condition of the street improved our chances of receiving a grant at the earliest opportunity.
Staff was receiving a lot of complaints about the condition of Mulberry Street throughout the summer and as we moved into fall staff became concerned that another winter with a lot of freeze – thaws would leave Mulberry virtually undriveable. The more severe the winter weather, the more likely it is there will be a pothole problem. Lake Mills’ winter of 2007-08 had record setting snow and had regularly experienced freeze–thaw cycles. The significant number of freeze – thaw cycles experienced that year resulted in many of the roadways needing significant work. A freeze – thaw cycle is defined as when the air temperature crosses 32° F and then returns to the original side. This information was distributed to the Council in a memo provided at the December 1st meeting.
A policy of only repairing potholes is not a maintenance program. Continually monitoring signs of roadway failure and taking prompt preventive maintenance action before potholes form can result in less expensive, more effective road maintenance. On roads with marginal asphalt mat surfaces or with base problems, the process of quality patching can actually damage the asphalt surface outside of the patch area. Comprehensive diagnosis of distressed roads by pavement type, thickness, and condition of roadway allows the street department to coordinate and prioritize maintenance efforts for maximum economy and effect.
City crews completed asphalt repairs on S. Main Street and were beginning to look at options for Mulberry. Staff had anticipated that by fall there would be very little funds in the street maintenance budget and that small spot patches would be our only option. After the S. Main Street repairs were completed in late October, the Street Superintendent began a review of Mulberry Street. The city crews began some small patches on the north end of Mulberry. A review of the pavement conditions by the Street Superintendent was completed and an estimate of the potential funds available by the City Manager indicated there would probably be enough money to complete roughly $35,000 of repairs. Based on the pavement condition and funds available the Street Superintendent recommended working with B. R. Amon on several different options for repairing the street as most of the patching required equipment the city does not own.
The patching recommended as the best option was mill and overlay repairs. A mill and overlay repair is normally used on streets that have exhibited substantial distress. A contractor typically will do the overlay, which consists of a 1-1/2 inch deep mill to the outer 8 feet of both sides of the street. The milling aligns the existing concrete gutter flow lines with the pavement surface after the overlay. Before the new pavement is placed, an application of a tack coat on the remaining pavement surface is used to create a bonding agent with the overlay. An overlay of 1-1/2 to 2 inches of asphalt over the entire pavement is then placed by a contractor to form a smooth surface with a consistent crown. The overlay restores structural capacity, skid resistance, proper drainage, and ride quality to the pavement.
The staff was still trying to work within the conflicting issues of estimating the funds remaining in the street department budget and when B.R. Amon & Sons would close their plant for the winter. The later in the year the repairs were completed – the easier it is to estimate remaining funds and this is balanced by how late B.R. Amon & Sons can and is willing to lay asphalt.
The Street Superintendent worked with Andy Bernard of B.R. Amon & Sons and after examining the extent and limits of the project and discussing the available budget asked for a proposal from them with three options per the attached quote. The City Manager was notified of the bid numbers by Pat Kordus after the November 17th Council meeting which was prior to the Street Superintendent receiving the information from Andy Bernard. Andy Bernard provided a prepared estimate with three options which were provided to the Council. The City Manager selected option 1 which was to mill bad areas 2” deep and furnish, place and compact 2” inches of hotmix asphalt in one lift with the city hauling the millings for $32, 226.
City Manager informed the Street Superintendent that option one was the only one we could afford and authorized the work as an emergency under state statute 62.15(1b). I did verbally inform the council president about the pending work. I was on vacation the next week and was informed that the Street Superintendent informed Andy Bernard of the approval to complete work under option one. Andy Bernard informed the Street Superintendent on the afternoon of the 25th that the work would start early on the 30th. There are no work days between the 25th and the 30th for city employees.
Both the Street Superintendent and the Street Foreman were on site when the work began. B.R. Amon’s staff was marking out the areas to be repaired and city staff left to work on other projects. Most asphalt foremen know when they are exceeding a contract amount by the number of truckloads of asphalt. A 10 to 15% overage on trucks in the system is not unusual.

They Have What?

The following is some information I picked up off the internet regarding the newest concept in urban farming. If you want to find the original posting, just copy the item and paste it into a search engine.
There is this new trend in the sustainable movement; it’s urban chickens. These chickens are raised in small numbers by city dwellers in their yards as a source of fresh eggs. Not surprisingly, this concept has been met with some controversy. Some people are strong supporters of the idea, while others have serious objections. Different jurisdictions have begun passing codes regarding urban chickens - some have implemented pilot projects and others don't allow it at all.
Supporters claim:[1]
It's a cheap, sustainable and "all-natural" source of eggs
It allows people to "get back to nature"
It's a more humane way to raise chickens
Watching chickens roam around the yard is enjoyable
Opponents counter with:
Farm animals should be on farms
Chickens smell.
Chickens are loud.
Chickens carry infectious diseases.
Chickens attract undesirable and potentially dangerous wildlife like rats, coyotes, skunks and foxes.
Most people don't have a clue how to raise chickens.
Here are some important points to consider if you're thinking about getting urban chickens:
Is it legal in your town?
Do your neighbors like the idea? A few chickens aren’t worth a neighborhood spat.
Do you know how to take care of chickens? If the answer is no (as for most people), are you willing to learn before you get your first chicken?
Do you have an easily accessible source of feed? If you have to drive 40 miles to get chicken feed, the project is bound to fail.
Do you have any high-risk individuals in the house? This would include the very young, very old and people with weakened immune systems, who are more prone to developing disease if exposed to infectious agents. These individuals should not be exposed to chickens.
Are you in for the long term? Commercial layer hens are generally productive for about 12 months, but some chickens can live for years.
If you decide to get rid of the chickens, what will you do? Where will they go? Setting them free or dumping them off in the country is not an ethical option. Adult hens don't make good roasting chickens, so even if you get them butchered for meat, you're probably left with stewing chicken at best.
Remember that backyard eggs are not necessarily safer than commercial eggs. Consumption of raw eggs and improper handling of eggs are risk factors for diseases like salmonella, no matter where they come from. Don't be fooled by the "all natural means safe" myth.
Personally, I would not want to raise chickens. I have my reasons, harbored since childhood when I spent a lot of time at my grandparents' farm and helped my great grandmother manage her flock.
My thoughts about chickens are that they are grubby, dull and require a lot of upkeep. From time to time, they will escape from the coop and you have to round them up. They leave sticky little messes all over the yard. When it’s too cold, they die; too warm and they die. They smell, they're noisy and they attract predators.
There are obviously people with more spare time than me that keep chickens and they go on about the cuddly little chicks, the supply of fresh eggs and the roasting chickens in their freezer. In my opinion, these chickens aren’t far from free range chickens and they are really to tough to roast, generally a long boil makes them almost edible. Read comments above.
But there are ways to get them roasted – I read where one person’s coop caught fire -- a rogue heat lamp was the culprit -- and these chickens were roasted to a fine consistency. Imagine this happening in a dense urban neighborhood.
I know there are local supporters of the campaign to allow chickens in this city’s backyards. All across the United States, people are harboring illegal poultry in backyard coops hoping their city councils will revise the codes that ban them.
But I wonder if these people have thought this through? Chickens, if you don’t know, have issues.
Urban farming might be trendy now, but it’s still farming, and that means its hard work. The chicken-feeding at my grandparents’ farm started out as a lot of fun but it soon became drudgery. Being awakened by a rooster early in the morning soon loses its luster. Then there's the manure. A few chickens can produce a lot of manure and their coops require a lot of litter. Know what it smells like? I know grass is in disfavor these days, but do you really want a barnyard just off your deck? Go down to Sandy Beach Park early in the morning before city crews clean up the forty pounds of goose manure. More importantly, do your neighbors? Many people don’t even pickup their dog waste, cleaning up chicken manure is harder.
Then there's the noise. They don't just hang around looking like statues that peck at bugs all day. They can make as much noise as sled dogs. Add a rooster to the mix and you've got real trouble. Roosters don’t know the difference between sunrise and high noon. They'll crow all day if they feel like it.
I read where the Globe and Mail’s Gary Mason wondered how the business professional-by-day/chicken-owner-by-night was going to handle certain situations. Like when an egg gets stuck coming out. It happens, not infrequently. And when it does, you have to stick your hand in there and get it. It’s also not uncommon for a hen’s vents to collapse. A vent is the external opening at the bottom of the bird’s vaginal canal. To fix the problem, you’re supposed to moisten your fingers (hemorrhoid cream is the lubricant of choice) and move the vent back into place. I can see lots of people throughout the city just dying to snap on the rubber gloves to perform that little procedure.
Even worse will be when hens suddenly stop laying eggs or never produce them. Managing health problems can really vary because chickens are susceptible to all sorts of problems that result in high mortality rates.
“At first I named them but now I’ve stopped because it’s just too hard,” said Sharon Jones, who started with eight chickens in a coop fashioned from plywood and chicken wire in the front yard of her north Berkeley home. She’s down to three. [2]
It was noted that Ms. Jones’ little flock has been plagued by mysterious diseases. She was not taking them to the vet because of the high cost, but she goes to workshops and searches out cures on the Internet. She has even put garlic down their throats in hopes that the antibacterial qualities of the cloves might help. Meanwhile, her chickens die.
Others believe that the offices of veterinarians will be overrun with city folk having chicken problems. Urban dwellers and their children will undoubtedly become attached to these creatures. When the little birds are feeling under the weather, urban farmers will spend thousands to get the problem diagnosed. At least there’s some economic benefit.
Then there are the predators. Rats, cats, dogs, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes -- all now attracted to your urban neighborhoods by easily attainable food. Your neighbors won't thank you for attracting these creatures.
At Kate Klaire’s house[3], the elementary school teacher has other problems. She has been through three different flocks in four years.
She ticks through a list of all the ways her chickens have died. There was the breakout of Marek’s disease. Her dog got to one chicken before some rules of the roost were laid down. She suspects a fox or a coyote carried off several when she was away.
More upsetting were the two she found with their necks broken. “I believe they were murdered,” she said, pointing to a chain link fence that appeared to have been bent by a human foot. Maybe I missed a predator.
I can handle the predators, but I hate rats. Rats love chicken feed. Attracting rats into the neighborhood means diseases that are deadly and rats can get pretty much anywhere you don’t want them. Rats carry the following diseases[4]:
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus. HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly.
Murine typhus (caused by infection with R. typhi) occurs worldwide and is transmitted to humans by rat fleas. Flea-infested rats can be found throughout the year in humid tropical environments, but in temperate regions are most common during the warm summer months. Travelers who visit in rat-infested buildings and homes, especially in harbor or riverine environments, can be at risk for exposure to the agent of murine typhus.
Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic bacterial illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis that can be acquired through the bite or scratch of a rodent or the ingestion of food or water contaminated with rat feces.
As its name suggests, it causes a typhoid-like disease in mice. In humans S. Typhimurium does not cause as severe disease as S. Typhi, and is not normally fatal. The disease is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea, and generally lasts up to 7 days. Unfortunately, in immunocompromized people, that is the elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, salmonella infections are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs.
Eosinophilic meningitis is an infection of the brain occurring in association with an increase in the number of eosinophils, white blood cells that are associated with infection with worms that penetrate into the body. The organism most commonly causing eosinophilic meningitis is a rat lung worm called angiostrongylus cantonensis.
The bubonic plague is an infection of the lymphatic system, usually resulting from the bite of an infected flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (the rat flea). The fleas are often found on rodents, such as rats and mice, and seek out other prey when their rodent hosts die. The bacteria form aggregates in the gut of infected fleas and this results in the flea regurgitating ingested blood, which is now infected, into the bite site of a rodent or human host. Once established, bacteria rapidly spread to the lymph nodes and multiply. Y. pestis bacilli can resist phagocytosis and even reproduce inside phagocytes and kill them. As the disease progresses, the lymph nodes can haemorrhage and become swollen and necrotic. Bubonic plague can progress to lethal septicemic plague in some cases. The plague is also known to spread to the lungs and become the disease known as the pneumonic plague. This form of the disease is highly infectious as the bacteria can be transmitted in droplets emitted when coughing or sneezing.
I’m sure these diseases aren’t any problem in dense urban populations.
Chickens are no smarter than they need to be. When they get loose, you have to catch them. They can be pretty tough to catch in an urban environment. With any luck, they may eventually end up at the Humane Society.
Birds, as we have learned the last few years, can carry and spread disease at an alarming rate. Keeping them in confined spaces in densely populated areas is asking for trouble. They get diseases with odd names, like pasty butt and the fowl plague. The main concerns with chickens specifically are Salmonella and Campylobacter, which are both bacteria that cause diarrhea. They can be passed in the droppings of healthy chickens and can be on eggs. Common sense practices such as keeping the chickens away from areas where people eat (e.g. the backyard picnic table), proper handling of eggs and good general hygiene should reduce the risks greatly, as long as the number of chickens kept is small. Avian influenza (bird flu) is another concern, although currently it's not a major issue in North America. Anything that increases contact between birds and people can increase the risk of influenza transmission. If bird flu entered a particular region, urban chickens could be a big problem.
My personal favorite is the external parasite problem. I must confess that just thinking about mites and lice makes me start to itch. If you’re like me, I’d suggest not reading this just before it’s time for bed or you’ll be scratching all night long. Let’s start with where these external parasites come from and how to identify them.
[5]Mites and lice can be brought into your flock from wild birds such as sparrows, crows, etc. They can also be brought in on rodents looking for food. Finally, anytime your flock or one of your chickens is exposed to other birds, you increase your risk of an infestation. Sales, auctions, and poultry shows can be considered an opportunity for mite and lice transfer. Because they are able to live away from a host for a period, clothing, egg cartons, even your hands can carry the little critters.
There are several kinds of mites that could infest your flock;
Northern Fowl Mites are a common external parasite found in poultry. They are usually found in the cool months of spring and fall, and in the winter. They live in temperate regions of the world and suck blood from varying types of fowl.
They are aggressive and primarily live on the chicken although they can survive off of the host bird for up to three weeks. They feed both day and night.
Identification is important. Northern Fowl Mites are very small and a reddish brown color deepening to almost black. They have 8 legs. The vent area is the most common site of infestation. Males tend to have a more scattered infestation. The eggs and waste of the mite will give the vent area an appearance of being dusty or dirty.
The Tropical Fowl Mite is comparable to the Northern Fowl Mite but lives in tropical regions.
The Chicken Mite (or Red Roost Mite) is another very common external parasite found in poultry. They are primarily a warm weather pest. They live in nest boxes, bedding material and on the skin of the birds.
Unlike Northern Fowl Mites, Chicken Mites tend to be nocturnal, sucking the blood of the flock while they sleep. During the day they hide in the cracks and crevices of the coop. Chicken Mites are very small and are a yellowish gray color but they become darker as they feed.
The above forms of mites suck blood and cannot be left untreated. The life cycle of mites can be as little as 10 days, which allows for a quick turnover and heavy infestation. Early intervention is necessary to prevent illness, debilitation and/or death within your flock.
Because Chicken Mites do not live on the birds, treatment of the coop is the most effective method. Treatment should be directed at the cracks and crevices within the coop where the mites hide during the day. Northern Fowl Mites require treatment to be directed at the birds themselves.
There are many products available to rid your flock of mites. Most contain pesticides, although I understand that there may be some organic treatments available as well. Contact your local veterinarian, feed store or agriculture center for recommendations and products available in your area.
Scaly Leg Mites are also a concern.
You will see skin that looks aged, swollen or deformed on your chicken’s legs and feet. These round, tiny, flat-bodied mites burrow under the skin, lifting the scales. If left untreated, the bird could become crippled.
Treat Scaly Leg Mites two to three times a week for a few weeks by dipping the infested bird’s legs in linseed oil. Wipe the legs clean and coat with petroleum jelly. Treatment may come to an end when skin is smooth again.
Poultry Lice are another concern for those keeping chickens.
Each region will have a most common strain and it’s not possible to address all the variations. There are some things all lice have in common though; they are all small wingless insects. They have 6 legs, are flat-bodied and have a broad, round head. They have chewing mouth parts, unlike the sucking mouth parts found in mites.
A louse spends its entire life on the host bird. You can see it as it moves on the skin by parting the feathers. Lice are most often found around the vent, at the head and under the wings. They do not suck blood but rather feed on feathers and dry skin scales. Although not as intrusive as mites, lice are irritating to a chicken.
Flocks that are infested with mites or lice show similar symptoms. Expect to see a decrease in food intake, a decrease in weight gain, a decrease in egg production and in increase in disease susceptibility.
If any of these general symptoms are present, you should thoroughly inspect your flock. If you suspect Chicken Mites, include a night time inspection when they are active. Poultry mites and lice are not dangerous to people. They can and may bite you, causing irritation but they cannot survive with a human host and are not a threat to people.
Prevention of mite and lice infestations is difficult. But some steps can be taken to reduce the chances of an infestation within your flock;
The best way to control these pests is early detection. Regularly inspect your flock. If you can catch an infestation early on, treatment and elimination can take place before harm is done.
Sanitation is of utmost importance as well. Keep the coop and bedding clean and fresh. Regularly scrub nesting boxes and other surfaces with soap and water. Disinfect the coop between flocks if that is an option.
Keep wild birds and rodents out of the coop and away from your chickens as much as possible. Wire mesh buried below the flooring is a great way to prevent tunneling rodents. Prevent wild birds from building nests in the immediate vicinity of your coop or run.
Finally, remember when introducing new birds into an existing flock, always quarantine new birds for 30 days before they have any contact with your flock. This applies to birds that have been away from your home and exposed to other birds, even other types of fowl.
If you’re planning on letting people raise urban chickens, do your homework. Do more than you think is necessary. There are plenty of skilled urban farmers willing to help people learn about chicken issues, and you should listen to them. I recently read this claim:
“the average person cannot be trusted to treat animals well. They aren’t equipped with the proper knowledge. Just consider how many small animals purchased from pet stores die within a few months after purchase.”
A few people told me it was ridiculous. They claimed that backyard hens were the perfect solution to cruel egg production in factory farming. And they argued that people would learn how to properly care for chickens.
Please.
Human beings can’t even properly care for cats and dogs on a regular basis, KILLING MILLIONS of them every year.[6]
An author, Kim Severson, has characterized the backyard chicken craze as a fad, like the potbellied pigs of a decade ago. Like any fad, many people jump in head first without acknowledging the risk, commitment, or education and skill involved. Severson points out that a lack of attention to these issues by unprepared and inexperienced owners–as well as the unavoidably strange and unique biological climates that urban and suburban areas contain–often lead to some bumps in the road. San Francisco is a case where new diseases and other persistent health problems have emerged, and many unprepared chicken owners have begun abandoning their hens and roosters at animal shelters.
For some animal rights workers, the backyard chicken trend is as bad as the pot-bellied pig craze in the 1980s or puppy fever set off by the movie “101 Dalmatians.” In both cases, the pets proved more difficult to care for than many owners suspected.
“It’s a fad,” said Susie Coston, national shelter director for Farm Sanctuary, which rescues animals and sends them to live on farms in New York and California. “People are going to want it for a while and then not be so interested.”
She said that farm animal rescue groups field about 150 calls a month for birds, most of them involving chickens — especially roosters.
“We’re all inundated right now with roosters,” she said. “They dump them because they think they are getting hens and they’re not.”
Some chicken owners buy from large hatcheries, which determine the sex of the birds and kill large numbers of baby roosters, because most people want laying hens. But sexing a chicken is an inexact science. Sometimes backyard farmers end up with a rooster, which are illegal in most cities.
Others believe that chickens are the THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE. There are lots of other animals that could sneak into your city neighborhood soon. Goats, for example, don't take up much space and can provide milk as well as cut the grass. Llamas produce wonderful fiber for knitters and spinners as do sheep. According to no less an authority than the New York Times, the next big thing in urban agriculture is beekeeping.
[1] www.wormsandgermsblog.com
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/dining/23sfdine.html
[3] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/23/dining/23sfdine.html
[4] http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/ratdiseases.htm
[5] http://www.chickenkeepingsecrets.com/chicken-health/chicken-mites-lice-prevention-remedies/
[6] http://www.vegansoapbox.com/unwanted-urban-chickens/

Police Powers

Last night I saw a sticker that read "Forget Tibet, Free America." I wondered what policy he didn't like? "Public policy is the outcome of the struggle in government over who gets what." This generally means there are winners and losers. When reviewing a policy, ask who are the winners and losers. Write them down.
The taking of rights and privileges from one group generally means there is a greater need from another group that falls into the realm of reasons government can regulate. Such regulations are based upon the “police power,” generally defined as the right of government to interfere with private activity (or private property uses) for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare. You should be able to identify and probably articulate that the policy provides for greater public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare than the loss of rights or privileges.