The phone rang… “Hello, Guy, will you join us at city council to speak in defense of roosters?” I mean, it doesn’t get more Wheat Ridge than this. “Yes, of course I will stand up for our roosters!”
The council chamber at City Hall was full of residents ready to debate the pros and cons of allowing roosters in our community — a farming community, no less. A city where a rooster is the official mascot.
Of course, the debate included complaints about noise and disturbance — much like my neighbor’s dog, children, oversized mower and even that motorcycle that roars past every night. Tolerance for all those noises is part and parcel of building an inclusive community: people of all colors and genders, farmers and urbanites, children playing and folks simply craving peace and quiet.
When we say “all are welcome,” we mean it. My roosters are your dogs. Instead of chasing out an entire species, why not simply enforce the noise ordinance already in place?
The city staff were fair in presenting data and useful information that helped the council move toward compromise.
Local farming expert and District 3 Councilwoman Amanda Weaver, along with her colleague from District 4, pushed the discussion forward to a consensus: all zoned properties may have one rooster, and those over 1 acre may have up to three. The ladies are excited, the boys are relieved.
Elections are coming up in Wheat Ridge. While the mayor’s seat is not contested, longtime contributor and District 3 Councilor Korey Stites, who is running unopposed, will be sorely missed as an advocate for our drama-free district.
November is always an interesting time in Wheat Ridge — so many points of view, plans and opinions. I even heard one candidate claim he “had an agenda.” Not something we should take lightly. But these days, I’m mostly looking for a cheerleader — someone who gets us excited about living here and celebrates what we’ve accomplished as a community.
Things will always change back and forth — new laws, nostalgia for old days, ambitions for progress. I understand that. But what we need is someone who will drive the bus, not someone at the wheel who’s always looking back at the backseat drivers for directions.
One thing’s for sure: District 2 is in good shape no matter which candidate wins. The candidate forum at City Hall tonight, organized by the Wheat Ridge Chamber and coordinated by the city’s Amanda Harrison, drew a full house, with extra chairs brought in so no one had to stand.
I urge you to stay informed and plan to vote. In some places on this planet, people die for the right to do so. More than 1,100 people were executed last month in Iran for trying to make change. For us in the United States, thankfully, it’s just a matter of checking a box.
And as always, thanks for reading.
