RARELY DO YOU START WITH A NAME…UNLESS SHE’S AMAZINGLY WELL-KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC. LIKE THE PRESIDENT. WHAT’S THE POINT HERE? IT’S THE CHICKENS. A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW CHICKENS IN KENT CLUCKED ITS WAY ALONG THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, BUT NOT WITHOUT A NUMBER OF …? HMM. DON’T FORGET YOUR FEATURE BACKGROUND WITH THIS KIND OF STORY. IT JUST SCREAMS FOR FEATURE, FEATURE.

Caroline Arnold, on behalf of Kent Environmental Council, began Wednesday night’s city council meeting with a proposal about housing livestock, particularly chickens.

KENT CITIZENS WOULD BE BETTER OFF NUTRITIONALLY IF THE CITY WOULD ALLOW CHICKENS TO BE RAISED WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

She ARNOLD (SECOND REFERENCE) and six others came to oppose the ban on chickens and had 64 PETITION signatures (on a petition) supporting their cause. MAKE IT MORE CLEAR… THEY CAME TO APPEAL TO COUNCIL TO REVERSE A BAN ON CHICKENS.

Arnold read aloud (AS OPPOSED TO QUIETLY?) a letter that said licenses and a fee could support the sustainability of chickens and clean operations by livestock owners.

The proposal includes a maximum of 6 hens – which is equal to about one house cat in waste and coop size – noise and smell requirements, said Bethany Snyder.

“I’m a one-income family and budgets are sometimes tight for us,” said Sandy Sheller, a wife and mother of four kids who would like to raise chickens.

“I want to be able to feed my family the best.”

She argued that hormones and antibiotics make store eggs nutritionally valueless for her family. The council later agreed to move their proposal to committee for discussion.

“I will listen, but I will tell you right now I have not changed my feelings about changing the law,” said Councilman Wayne Wilson.

Councilman John Kuhar mentioned hearing about an Ohio law on how livestock must be raised, and it will be included in further discussion.

GOODNESS… QUESTION I HAVE IS WHY DID THEY NOT SIGN? THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. AND YOU HAVE A FACT ERROR. PIZZUTI. CHECK IT OUT.

For economic development, the council suspended any talk of a written agreement among the city, Kent State and Pizutti until a later date. Pizutti is a real estate company specializing in development, construction and property management. This agreement will include tax incremental financing resulting in Kent schools receiving $215,000 and Kent receiving $419,000, with the project generating $705,000 total.

Increasing the Celebrate Kent! grant funds to $30,000 from $10,000 was also discussed and suspended to be addressed in a future meeting. Quick comments preceded the suspension. SUSPENDED? PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR A FUTURE MEETING.

“I believe it’s an investment in our downtown and in our non-profit groups that help bolster our communities on many different levels,” said Robin Turner, council at large. “It is appropriate of us even in these difficult times to make that investment.”