Winder nixes chickens; will seek bids Granite Hotel demolition

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Thursday, March 24. 2011

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After months of discussion and two public hearings, the Winder City Council opted not to change city ordinances that forbid keeping chickens within the city limits.

Also at the March 22 public hearing, the council voted to have City Administrator Don Toms solicit bids for the demolition of the Building Maintenance facility behind City Hall and “gave permission” for Toms to seek bids for the demolition of the Granite Hotel.

The decision to continue to forbid chickens was an about-face from the consensus the council reached at the February 3 public hearing, when it agreed to ask Toms to draft an ordinance that would allow city residents to keep hens – no roosters – as long as they were confined to the owner’s property and were kept in sanitary conditions.

Winder resident Robert Lanham spoke against allowing chickens, saying his concern was the effect “tar paper shacks masquerading as chicken coops…and piles of sticking, fly infested feces” would have on property values. He also said he was afraid chickens would “get out, get splattered all over the roads and…make a mess of things.”

Winder resident Nichola Gleaton returned for the fifth time since October 2010, to request that the council allow hens. Gleaton and his wife, Lisa, first asked council to consider changing ordinances to allow hens in October 2010, after they received a letter from the city stating they would have to remove their flock of 13 chickens. The council tabled the matter for 30 days at that meeting, then for 60 days at the November meeting, and for 60 days at the January meeting.

“All the objections being made about chickens can be made about dogs and cats,” Gleaton said, adding that he’d seen “plenty of dog houses that look just like the coops (Lanham) described.”

For the full story, see the March 23 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 Anonymous on 03/24/11 at 09:03 PM [Reply]

Amazed at how much news coverage chickens have been given. What does that say about the place we live? Not much I'm afraid.

#1.1 Anonymous on 03/25/11 at 03:11 PM [Reply]

Its not about chickens as much as its about freedom to use your property within reason. Today, they will take the chickens, next they will tell you what kind of dog you can have, if you can park your truck in the front yard, heaven forbid... how many kids can play in the yard. Forget the second amendment, they will take away everything else before they come for your guns

#1.1.1 News Flash on 03/25/11 at 03:42 PM [Reply]

They already are doing this

#1.2 Alex Olvido on 03/28/11 at 10:54 PM [Reply]

The "backyard chickens" issue is as much about private property rights as it is about a small-time poultry hobby. How would you feel if your next-door neighbor told you not to plant corn 'cuz he/she (i.e. your neighbor) didn't like the way corn stalks look in YOUR backyard? To add insult to injury, let's say that your neighbor then offers to let you plant corn in YOUR backyard, but only on the condition that you pay him/her (i.e. your neighbor) an annual "permitting" fee? Why would any die-hard, freedom-loving American agree to such bone-headed terms? (In the interest of full disclosure, since 2008 I've kept a flock of up to 16 clucking hens on my 0.7-acre corner-lot property within a 5-minute walk of downtown Watkinsville, and have neighbors with school-age kids that continue to enjoy the free eggs.)

#2 concerned local homeowner & citizen on 03/25/11 at 03:34 PM [Reply]

How about this Proposal:
I think livestock (even if pets) are livestock, food production type animals. I wouldn't want the ordinance completely changed but would be open to discussion to "Special Animal permits" that would have protections built into them to protect any property owner within .25 or .5 miles of the applicant and would contain an established complaint process that would suspend any permit upon a complaint about the permit holder to have these "livestock" type animals within the urban city. Generally livestock animals would be raised out in the rural areas on farm like land, not on small city lots. I think at this time the City has acted responsibly to not make any changes at this time. I mentioned I would provide my input to my city officials and would tell them that as a citizen, in the future I and others might, might, be more comfortable with some "exception permit" that someone could apply for and if no objections are made at time of application and no valid complaints made while holding the renewable permit, that some small amount of chickens could be raised. I would be open for such a discussion or debate. An idea like this might allow chickens only if the applicant met certain standards and maintained those, will allow for other property owners to have protections and the policy otherwise would not allow chickens otherwise. If you are found to have livestock or chickens without a prior issued permit, you then would not be eligible for applying. Neighbors who are verified to have a valid interest after an application is made (and there should be a notification of all within certain distance) should have a right to have private meeting with city permits dept. to voice any concerns (or even agree to the initial issuance) without repercussions by applicants. If the burden is met then permit is issued.
The applicant needs to understand and city too that there are Financial issues where a neighbor could potentially seek damages of property values against the parties.

I think outsiders looking for a place to relocate would not consider Winder a desirable place to relocate if we allow unusual standards that put their ownership or values at stake, it does not help Winder grow and develop positively.

Also: I am against demolishing the Granite Hotel at this time. We should give it one more real attempt to save it first.

#2.1 Anonymous on 03/25/11 at 03:45 PM [Reply]

OH, -and the applicant will have to pay for any costs of administering this permit process and enforcement process, I am not willing to create this "exception to the rule" out of the other citizens pockets, if there is a cost to the city, applicant fees would need to cover those, I will not pay higher city fees to cover such a special permit, IF one were to EVER be considered in the future.

I am fine with the no chicken policy as it stands, but I was making the suggestion to at least consider a way for all those who are behind the allowance of the chickens, this would be a way. Chickens in most CITIES are not typically allowed.

#2.1.1 Kim on 03/28/11 at 12:59 PM [Reply]

First of all, why on earth would anyone need a permit in order to keep a few hens on their property? There is absolutely NO support behind any of your claims that people would not want to move to Winder because of hens being allowed on people's properties. Obviously, I'm going to point out that no one in their right minds goes on municode to see if a city allows certain kinds of animals and says, "well, I'm not moving there because of hens!!" That's absurd. Furthermore, .25 miles is WAY too expansive to be going around trying to get permission from neighbors. You have to be out of your mind. There is absolutely NO reason that these people should not be allowed there pets. I see no proof, no evidence, no valid testimony or scientific data that supports a city restricting their residents from having them. Please, I beg you, try to find something and let me know....I'll be here all day.

#2.1.2 Woodcutterron on 03/28/11 at 04:28 PM [Reply]

That's not true, actually. There are literally thousands of cities that are perfectly fine with allowing chickens. New York City comes to mind, which also flies in the face of fallacious hairbrained theories of running property values down. Some of the most expensive real estate in the country up there.

#2.1.2.1 other side of the road on 03/29/11 at 08:30 PM [Reply]

Here's the list in Georgia:
Gainesville, GA. It shall be unlawful for any person within the city to erect or maintain any poultry or animal yard within 300 feet of any residence except the residence of the owner, or within 300 feet of any public building, unless such yard is maintained in accordance with the provisions set forth by the building inspections department.
Alpharetta, GA. There is a 75 chicken maximum.
Atlanta, GA. Chickens are allowed here.
Lawrenceville, GA. No chickens allowed. However, apparently this law is only enforced if someone complains.

New York:
New York City, NY. Chickens are considered pets under the Health Code. Unlimited number of hens allowed; no roosters or other types of poultry. Code mentions cleanliness of chicken area must be kept clean.

#2.1.2.1.1 Woodcutterron on 03/29/11 at 09:49 PM [Reply]

Oh, there are way more than that, heheh. My City of West Point Ga, for one.

#3 Anonymous on 03/25/11 at 07:29 PM [Reply]

Good deal, City of Winder. You finally done somethin that made a little sense. Not a good idea to follow Auburn's lead on that dad blam chickin thang.

#4 J.C. on 03/26/11 at 12:57 AM [Reply]

I am for having chickens in the city limits. Just like anything else, there would need to be restrictions put into place. The size of the coup,the no# of hens, size of fenced in area and disposal of debris. Barrow County will not attract more residents with or without chickens due to the same old pomp and circumstance that dictates other things here. The RIGHT People who are serious about having chickens will go and spend the money on the needed items and do what is required as owners. Don't be so quick that our fellow Barrow citizens would not follow the lead and rules. Also, it is a great way to bring our community together and share with one another, just like having a garden. Come on, don't say no until you see how it goes.

#5 mark my words on 03/26/11 at 06:18 AM [Reply]

Hallelujah!

Finally some sanity has returned to Winder!

Chickens out, granite monster out!

Now,if we could just get a refund on the half a million or more we taxpayers spent to buy the 'White Elephant Hotel', that would be great.

While sanity is in the air, how about we take down about 30% of the stop signs that are everywhere? What other city anywhere puts three stop signs on a T intersection? Why stop the main thoroughfare in both directions at a side street? There are 5 streets in Winder like this with 4 events of this on 1 street alone.

#5.1 Sam Drucker on 03/26/11 at 04:26 PM [Reply]

There used to be traffic lights at those intersections, you johnny-come-lately. Why is it that carpet-baggers come here, uninvited, and then promptly start to whine for wholesale changes? If where you came from was paradise, why did you leave?

#5.1.1 Red Ryder on 03/26/11 at 10:06 PM [Reply]

I'm sorta tired of those stop signs myself. And I remember the red lights, too. Stop signs make my car use more gas.

#5.1.1.1 Stop Sign on 03/26/11 at 10:39 PM [Reply]

Boo hoo.
If you can't afford gasoline, then stay off my roads.

#5.2 Woodcutterron on 03/28/11 at 01:34 PM [Reply]

Actually, I can't help but notice that none of the "anti Chicken" contingent here has any rational reason for their objections, just the same tired, droning misconceptions and myths circulated by shortsighted people who don't actually have a clue about the issue.

One headline that has never been written:
"Property Values Plummet as City Allows Chickens" despite literally hundreds of municipalities becoming more backyard chicken-friendly.

There is virtually no need for permitting, or even any ordinance at all regulating chickens. They can ALL be handled by existing health and nuisance code and ordinances that deal with these issues generally. The same ordinances used to control loud music or yappy dogs or even a top fuel dragster in the neighbors driveway can be applied to chickens that become an actual (rather than imagined)

If an irresponsible chickenkeeper lets the manure become a health hazard, the same health codes that apply to general disease fostering situations would apply. There is virtually NO need for ANY poultry related ordinance.

We have no restriction on it here in West Point Ga. And we don't have dead chickens covering the roads. We don't havepaper coops covered with dung on every street . . or any street, for that matter. Those imaginary "Chicken Little, Sky-is-falling" objections are genuinely outright silly.

And for the record, before a council restricts an Americans right to liberty and reasonable use their own property as they see fit, the burden of proof is on the city leaders to demonstrate with hard facts and data that such a restriction on these rights is in order. Chickenkeepers don't actually have to prove a thing.

The council took it upon themselves to ignore the rights of a segment of free and rational Americans, based on nothing but ridiculous baseless assertions and Chicken Little type imaginary fears. Shame on the the Council for that totalitarian act of unamericanism.

#5.2.1 Anonymous on 03/31/11 at 09:55 PM [Reply]

#5.2.1.1 sunny side up on 04/01/11 at 09:34 AM [Reply]

He is commenting here because he is a "former" paralegal who thinks he know the law better than the attornys and he is trying to convence the lame folk to waste their money on fighting for POULTRY...I support other folks on here who wishes to let all the FOWL owners to go to West Point..Their lake is alreay filled with poop, now they can add it to their back yards and leave us alone here in Barrow....

#5.2.1.2 Woodcutterron on 04/01/11 at 01:01 PM [Reply]

WHY are you even commenting here? What is your interest? What do you have at stake? You are in Sleepy rural West Point...

Just wondering why you are commenting on Winder-Barrow News...

Woodcutterron appearantly is here to invite all chicken owners to the chicken-friendly town of West Point, we appreciate the welcome.

Hmmmm, why am I commenting here: Well, because I'm an American, and I can. What is my interest? I thought that was obvious. Getting an ordinance that is based solely on myths and misconceptions changed.

As for what my stake is in this. Nothing. What's your point? Are you one of those uneducated, clannish, dropouts who don't understand the concept of our country being one nation? Winder is in my nation, in my state. The only justification I need, really.

Now as for inviting people to move to West Point, I never did or even implied that. But since you mentioned it, hey . . .I invite anyone who feels like it to move here.

I assume you had nothing really intelligent to say, based on . . .well . . .what you said.

#5.2.1.2.1 Observer from Winder on 04/02/11 at 03:19 PM [Reply]

No-one here ever questioned your Right to be here, your freedom to make your comments, we are in the United States and very fortunate here to have the freedoms the USA provides, to be able to say and go where we please for the most part.
---What several have asked you, I believe, is -What is your personal agenda? Why would you care or be so concerned to light up our message boards with your chicken passion, yet continually insult the people of our area in those same messages. Why do you care what Winder does? We here have an issue that WE must decide on, how OUR community wants to proceed and you are hours away judging (and disparaging) our citizen’s views here apparently from your very small town on the other side of Georgia.

Although West Point seems like a very nice community in a nice location, West Point has a total population of just 3,487 people (and per your local media sources “Kia apparently will save West Point which had become economically devastated, and it was "on the road to becoming a ghost town." (not chickens it seems), Winder is approximately 4.5 times the size of West Point, and currently growing at a faster rate and located in between two Metro areas, not nicely nestled in country along a river near the Alabama border, so we have different issues, we appreciate your concern about our town. Oh, by the way per the City of West Point’s “Comprehensive Plan 2008-2028” in states livestock would be restricted to an Agricultural Zoning….

My question is why do feel you need to denigrate others, other points of view or the City of Winder to make yourself feel good or important?
Maybe it's your lack of class or education.

#5.2.1.2.1.1 Woodcutterron on 04/02/11 at 11:15 PM [Reply]

OBSERVER:No-one here ever questioned your Right to be here, your freedom to make your comments,

WOODCUTTER: Yes they did actually. You must have missed it

OBSERVER: . . . we are in the United States and very fortunate here to have the freedoms the USA provides, to be able to say and go where we please for the most part.

WOODCUTTERRON: Yes we are fortunate to live in the U.S.A. Where we can say and go pretty much where we please. Unfortunately . . . the political leadership in Winder seems to have forgotten about other "Little Constitutional provisions" . . . like "liberty", for instance, preferring to micromanage what we can do on our own property . . .kinda like a micro socialists.

OBSERVER: What several have asked you, I believe, is -What is your personal agenda? Why would you care or be so concerned to light up our message boards with your chicken passion . .

WOODCUTTER: Well first of all, I answered the irrelevant questions . . .which are generally asked by morons with no intelligent rebuttal to what is actually the relevant topic. And it isn't "Chicken Passion" as you condescendingly put it. It's a passion for liberty, mainly. Not a big fan of ignorant morons dictating what we can or can't do on my property. And frankly, judging by you inability to see the intent of the morons asking the irrelevant questions, I'd say you overestimate your ability to subordinate me.

OBSERVER: . . .yet continually insult the people of our area in those same messages.

WOODCUTTER: Hmmm . . . well . . . I'm only insulting some of the people in your area. You really should have "observed" that.

OBSERVER:Why do you care what Winder does?

WOODCUTTER:Why do you care why I care? I do.
(Friends in Winder, not that I owe you an explanation, nor does it change topical relevance one iota, not does it add any relevance to your query)

OBSERVER: We here have an issue that WE must decide on, how OUR community wants to proceed and you are hours away judging . .

WOODCUTTER: Actually, Winder, last I checked wasn't in a Communist or Socialist State. Your politicians actually have no right to restrict folks the liberty of keeping chickens without sound and carefully weighed reason before restricting peoples liberty. And virtually every objection raised by the Winder Official "brain trust" were wholly unsupportable. Virtually every objection raised was myth and misconception.

OBSERVER: . . (and disparaging) our citizen’s views here . . .

WOODCUTTER: Not disparaging all your Citizens views, just the silly ones.

OBSERVER: . . apparently from your very small town on the other side of Georgia.

WOODCUTTER: Not sure what your point is there. Are you honestly asserting that only people who live in a town could have an interest in what happens there? What if Bethlehem decided their town would benefit from permitting a nuclear and toxic waste dump? You're from Winder . . . nonya bizness"

Chickens aren't toxic, but hey, just because I don't live there doesn't mean I don't have a right to my opinion. Frankly, your apparent opinion that I shouldn't have an opinion, or at least communicate it . . is kinda clannish and naive.

OBSERVER: Although West Point seems like a very nice community in a nice location, West Point has a total population of just 3,487 people . . .

WOODCUTTER: EH . . . fair to middlin, as communities go.

OBSERVER: . . . (and per your local media sources “Kia apparently will save West Point . . .

WOODCUTTER: Our local media source, the Valley/West Point Times News, is pretty much in Kias pocket. It's genuinely ridiculous how they kiss Kias butt. Kia was grossly oversold by local politicos, as I've also been pointing out here locally for years.

OBSERVER: . . . which had become economically devastated, and it was "on the road to becoming a ghost town."

WOODCUTTER: It'll be quite a while before 'Tumbleweeds are blowing down Main Street'
The City actually isn't doing all that badly right now, quite a ways from anything even remotely resembling economic devastation.

OBSERVER:(not chickens it seems),

WOODCUTTER: That was pretty obtuse. If it was intended as a 'dig' . . .it fell short.

OBSERVER: Winder is approximately 4.5 times the size of West Point, and currently growing at a faster rate and located in between two Metro areas, not nicely nestled in country along a river near the Alabama border, so we have different issues . . .

WOODCUTTER: Wow . . .16,000 people, a veritable Metropolis. I had no idea! How could I possibly have any idea about those "big city" issues, heheh. Oh wait . . . I've actually been outside of West Point before.

OBSERVER: . . .we appreciate your concern about our town.

WOODCUTTER: Oh yea that's sincere, heheh.

OBSERVER: Oh, by the way per the City of West Point’s “Comprehensive Plan 2008-2028” in states livestock would be restricted to an Agricultural Zoning….

WOODCUTTER: Oh by the way . . . the "comprehensive plan" doesn't carry the weight of "law" . . . by the way.

OBSERVER: My question is why do feel you need to denigrate others, other points of view or the City of Winder to make yourself feel good or important?

WOODCUTTERON: I don't feel that need, that seems to be more your point here. I took issue with folks making genuinely ridiculous, rude, and asinine statements. Nor have in in any way, shape of form denigrated the City of Winder . . .and don't intend to, even though you wrestled context-of-fact a bit to denigrate West Point.

I'm guessing Winder is fine little city. It's the moronic and liberty-restricting actions of a few bonehead officials that I'm denigrating . .and they actually make it pretty easy.

OBSERVER: Maybe it's your lack of class or education.

WOODCUTTER: Hmmmm . . . I have no class or education, heheh . . . got it!

#5.2.1.2.1.1.1 Woodcutterron on 04/04/11 at 09:47 AM [Reply]

OBSERVER:
Oh, by the way per the City of West Point’s “Comprehensive Plan 2008-2028” in states livestock would be restricted to an Agricultural Zoning….

WOODCUTTERRON: Well observer, I looked it up. You must be a Winder Politician, with the way you twisted what the plan actually said into something it didn't actually say.

What it actually says:
"Agricultural zoning - Restricts land uses to farming and livestock, other kinds of open-space activities and limited
home building."

That was a general statement relative to what Agricultural Zoning, in broadly general terms, would encompass. It in no way, shape, or form states or even remotely implies that this would be the only Zoning designation where Livestock could or couldn't be kept.

Please don't lie to support your position.

#6 Metro on 03/28/11 at 08:39 AM [Reply]

Outrageous...When a county board can dictate whether or not you can keep chickens on your own property.

The Chicken Gestapo should be voted out in the next elections, i will volunteer to help remove these nazis from the power they are all to eager to abuse.

#6.1 DuWayne R. Anderson on 03/28/11 at 11:31 AM [Reply]

It was Winder City Council that rendered that decision not the Barrow BOC.
DuWayne

#7 I like my chicken fried on 03/28/11 at 02:57 PM [Reply]

I say to everyone who wants chickens, move to West Point, sounds like Woodcutterron needs a few neighbors.

#7.1 Woodcutterron on 03/28/11 at 03:09 PM [Reply]

Wow . . . that was brilliant and insightful, heheh. Thanks for making my point, Fried. The anti-chicken contingent really doesn't have anything substantive to base their argument on, so they expose their lack knowledge of what The Constitution means and take irrelevant, irrational, and not-so-clever potshots. Yawn.

#8 happy hen on 03/28/11 at 08:43 PM [Reply]

Interesting.... still no real reasons for why people shouldn't be able to keep hens. Just try to give one good reason, come on, really work that brain and try. I'm amazed at how many people are so willing to give up their right to do what they want on their own property, particularly when it doesn't in any way affect their neighbors.

I can give you several reasons why people should be able to keep hens: They're fun to watch and hold. They produce high-quality protein food (way better than any egg from a commercial farm, even better than commercial, so-called organic eggs. It's great to be able to produce your own food. They produce the best fertilizer for your lawn and garden. It is completely compostable, unlike dog and cat poop which is a biohazard. Chickens provide a great learning experience to see where your food comes from. They don't smell, unless you want to stick your nose in the coop. Hens are not loud, just roosters which nobody is asking for. They go to sleep on their own at dusk - no noises at night like a dog.

What more could you ask for from a pet?

#8.1 Anonymous on 03/31/11 at 09:47 PM [Reply]

I am no chicken expert, but explain to us how the chickens lay these eggs (food production) without a rooster?

#8.1.1 Henny Penny on 03/31/11 at 10:23 PM [Reply]

Hens lay eggs whether or not they are fertilized.

#8.1.2 Woodcutterron on 04/01/11 at 08:38 AM [Reply]

Actually even human women "lay eggs" without a 'rooster'. It's called "Menstruation" The egg simply passes, unfertilized.

The eggs "happen" fertilized or not. A sperm cell is the only thing a rooster adds to the equasion

#9 DuWayne R. Anderson on 03/29/11 at 02:50 PM [Reply]

The Granite Hotel has been the subject of different development packages over the last couple of years, without any success. So it still stands as a monument to an era gone by that some folks have seemed to want to forget.

While demolition would not be my first choice, it would seem that if the city is unable/unwilling to first attract, then financially partner with the correct development
entity, little will change. If the city REALLY wants to save this structure, then get serious and get it done. Everyone wants to save this hotel, but when the time comes to "show them the money" things go south in a hurry. Greed is the culprit in this equation. Make no mistake about that.
DuWayne

#10 Susan Trepagnier on 03/29/11 at 06:12 PM [Reply]

Personally, I just can't wait to see a parking lot on the corner. NOT! It's a shame the City cannot or will not do something to save this old building. But then, when you look at the City of Winder's downtown, it's certainly nothing like Madison, Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Rutledge, Buford, Duluth, Norcross or any of the other cities that surround it. People don't shop in Winder because the city council and the mayor haven't gotten behind the city and made a plan. When there was a good Main Street Program, the city council did pretty much everything it could to run the program off.
Anyone ever bother to look at Auburn? It used to be the Barrow County city everyone laughed at - now they are arranging to buy the Hawthorne House and they are making that little town a place people will want to be.
Anyone look at Braselton? It's on the move, respecting its past and building for its future.
Anyone even bother to look over the county line at Jefferson? StreetScapes is being worked by the Main Street Program and supported by their Mayor and City Council.
Why? All three town's Mayor and City Council members had a plan and they've worked that plan with help from their citizens and from their Main Street Programs and their DDAs.
How disappointing that Winder, the town with such great history could not get behind any plan whatsoever. What happened to that StreetScapes project that was approved and wasn't the grant approved? Where is that now? It seems someone can't get their act together and do what is right - instead they want to tear down one of the most historic buildings in the state.
Wow, I'm really impressed!

#10.1 Anonymous on 03/31/11 at 09:50 PM [Reply]

I COMPLETELY AGREE!!! We would rather just knock it all down than preserve and save and develop this town, which actually has a richer history than many of those mentioned, of course we won't have a downtown left, which building is next?

#10.2 anonie mouse on 04/01/11 at 03:03 PM [Reply]

Susan, you are so right! Winder could be a much nicer city if there was a workable plan to make it so. The traffic downtown is awful. We have far too many ugly buildings and half-empty strip malls. Even Monroe has a nicer downtown area than we do!
It seems no one in Winder can agree to get behind ANYTHING worthwhile. In the meantime, our city is deteriorating right before our eyes. It's really shameful.

#11 EB on 03/30/11 at 09:09 AM [Reply]

Upon moving here from the abhorrent county of Gwinnett, I am actually relieved that a major story would be about chickens. This is better than reading about illegal immigrants, thieves, and rapists, and car accidents, which the GDP loves to cover. Let the family have their chickens, maybe they will offer you some free eggs. Ha.

#12 mollyrose on 04/04/11 at 11:58 AM [Reply]

Well, as long as we have the great chicken debate settled, can we now move on to something more important, such as trying to keep Winder from becoming a bigger laughintstock? Sheesh.....

#12.1 Woodcutterron on 04/04/11 at 12:24 PM [Reply]

I wouldn't say the debate is "settled" just yet. As for moving on to make Winder less of a laughingstock . . . well . . . chickens are an actual primary subject of the article this thread is in reply to.

One thing that would help is convincing the Winder City Council to quit using silly arguments against folks who want a few pet chickens that make said council members look like Chicken Little. If folks are allowed to keep chickens, the sky won't fall.

Winder won't be stereotyped as a 'rednekk haven' any more than New York City is.

Now as for the Stone Building, I simply don't know enough about the issue, but in general terms, such a project needs to be of some tangible net benefit to a community, not a financial drain on it.

Down my way, we have a Council who has already thrown over two million dollars into trying to "save Langdale Mill!" and it's still a crumbling, unattractive monstrosity that is a burden and hindrance to a community.

All the money gone . . .and the best idea that they've come up with is a textile Museum . . . .yawn. Yea, that ought to give Disney a run for it's tourist money.

Sounds like ya'll's project might make more sense than our ugly, crumbling textile mill, but in general, if the private sector can't see the potential, it's generally because there isn't much potential. One thing folks forget is that we can't save every old building simply because it has some nostalgic value to some folks.

#12.1.1 foghorn leghorn on 04/04/11 at 09:23 PM [Reply]

I say boooyyy wut chu mean i caint have no chickens in winder ? I had chickens nearly all my growned days an I dont spek im a gonna stop now jes cas we got us some nazies on the city counsill.
ifen you wont me ta git rid of em then why don yew jes cmon an tryn make me I say I say Booy,

#13 JodyDi on 04/06/11 at 02:52 PM [Reply]

I'm glad Woodcutterron is commenting, some of us Winder residents, get so busy with day to day activities, we don't always have time to spend, sticking up for what we believe in, Woodcutterron is my friend, I told him about our problem, so he is helping me, voice my opinion also. Barrow county, unincorporated is 183,000 acres, 20,000 acres is cities(small towns, I would call them) More than 80% of our county can have livestock, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, llamas, goats, etc. We have 23 Commercial chicken farms in our small county, all of which can have 125,000 chickens at any given time, each. The 3 local feed stores sell 3000 laying chicks every spring, to individuals that have chickens. Fellow citizens, "We live in rural Barrow county. I first moved here 20 years ago. Why?? Because it is rural. Down home country. Drive down any main road in Barrow, what do you see? Horses, cows, chickens, etc.
I actually thought chickens were allowed. Do you realize, that most of the people who would want to get chickens, already have them? Have they been a problem? NO.
These communities in Georgia allow chickens, Cherokee County, City of Atlanta(allows 25), Decatur, Villa Rica, Temple, Carrollton, Lithia Springs, Douglasville, Smyrna, Watkinsville, West Point, Macon, I'm sure there are more, A few major cities, Miami, Houston, NYC(already mentioned) Los Angeles and bunches more! People of Winder, you will not be overrun with chickens, any more than you are already. Chickens require maintenance every day, morning and night. Not something that many people want to be tied down with. Citizens have been keeping chickens for as long as I have been here, 20 yrs. Who decided to stir up the hornets nest?? Really? As others have mentioned, do you want your city to control every aspect of your personal life?

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Winder nixes chickens; will seek bids Granite Hotel demolition

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Winder nixes chickens; will seek bids Granite Hotel demolition

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