The Petition is making it's way around, and Stand up and Speak up!

While my husband Al and I have been out in the community getting signatures for my Poultry Petition we have met some of the nicest folks!  With only one exception so far, every time we are out going door to door we are met with welcoming, friendly people who are very, I might say eager to sign the petitions.  Many have no interest in having their own Chickens but see no harm in others having them.  I heard one neighbor telling another that he believes it may even hurt our property values out here - people move out here for a country lifestyle then they are hit with city-like covenants. I couldn't agree more with that kind of thinking!

One evening we were joined by another chicken lady who knew her neighbors were ready to sign the petition, so we went to her neighborhood and she pointed out the homes to go to.  It was a great night to be in a part of our community we weren't familiar with and meet new people.  They were eager to sign as well.

In another area a few homes had no idea there was a petition going around, had never heard anything about any issues with having chickens in Pawnee Hills.  We also get to hear about how some folks are just fed up with the entire HOA, some folks want more than just chickens.  All and all, folks just want some things to change.  Lots of frustration out there.  It's tough to get to too many homes in one night because people are so nice and we like talking to them!

So we go on, as often as we can we go out and get more signatures and it adds up, because folks want this change, the numbers show it.  Now if I didn't have responsibilities and grandchildren I could probably wrap this up in a couple weeks, but life is just not like that.  So hold on to your horses, because in a few months time there is going to be something to squawk about!

On a different note...
I, being the blog owner have decided that all who decided to comment on this blog can do so as long as they are willing to do so by name. We are grown ups here.  This is not a gossip chain.  If you have something to say.  Believe in it, don't be sneaky.  Stand up, say your name and speak up.  That's how it's done around here.

Poultry Petition hits the open road

If you haven't had an opportunity to sign the Poultry Petition, one of our community members who often talks to neighbors while on the bridal trail will have the petition available for signatures.  A note from this member:

I am typically riding a wheat colored dun horse with black mane and tail, and probably leading another horse (sorrel) with me. I ride in the late weekday evenings and sometimes on the weekends. I keep the petition with me the majority of the time, but if I don't happen to have it with me, I will make the effort to come back for the signature.

It's great to have folks that are excited to be involved in this movement to allow our community members to raise poultry.  It is such an organic movement across the country that many folks in urban areas are squeezing a few chickens in their backyards and reaping the benefits of fresh eggs, a natural compost system (they eat table scraps then their waste fertilizes the garden), plus the many varieties of chickens are just amazing.  There really are some beautiful birds.  Perhaps you were able to go to the County Fair and see some of the fancy breeds?  We are so fortunate to have a country lifestyle with more than enough room for up to 8 hens.  I have seen many designs on-line for coops and runs, some very stylish, some very simple.  Raising poultry can be a wonderful experience for the entire family.

If you are not a trail rider, I am still available and will bring the Petition to you, just give me a call at 303-887-7349.  I will also be planning a signing event in the near future.  Look for information posted at the mail building soon.

Rainwater Collection information

Here is the link to the information I spoke about concerning Rainwater collection her in Colorado.

http://water.state.co.us/DWRIPub/Documents/DWR_RainwaterFlyer.pdf

See the webinar on Rainwater collection here:

http://youtu.be/ZzjnDauEq3U

July 27th Homeowners Meeting. Will you be there?

I mentioned the meeting in my last post and see in some of our Community Issue comments folks are posting reminders as well.  One post was painfully true.  If we don't meet a "quorum" the meeting cannot be held.  The quorum is 30% of homeowners which roughly works out to 55 homeowners.  This is rarely done because in general folks avoid the meetings.  The last time it was done was last year when I raised the Chicken issue.  Now I have the Chicken petition going but am not seeing a lot of interest in the meeting.  I am hearing a lot of grumblings with the discontent with the board. Well folks the only way you are going to get a change is to ATTEND THE MEETING!  We can't just sit back and discuss amongst ourselves how we'd like things to change, we have to get out there and do something.  We have to go to the meetings, ideas in hand ready for discussion.  These meetings are our chance as a COMMUNITY to get together and talk about the things we want to change.  How we want to live on our land.  Are we getting what we need from our board?  It's not just about the chickens (although I will never give up on that) it is about our Community.

Take some time this Saturday morning, jot down a few notes about what is important to you in this community and head on over to the clubhouse around 9:45a.m. to sign in and find a seat. Hope to see you there!

Chicken Petition Signing goes Mobile!

In light of everyones varied schedules we are trying to make it easy for all to have an opportunity to sign the Petition.  Simply give us a call and we will hop on over to meet with you or make other arrangements.  This is not to say there won't be another site for signing, but in the meantime give us a call.  303-887-7349.

Don't forget our HOA meeting is coming up on Saturday, July 27th.  Are you planning on attending?  I will have the Petition available for signing Before and After the meeting.

This is a bit off topic but I have heard folks are having a hard time finding the community map the HOA provides on their website so here is a link to it: (you may need to copy and paste into your browser).

 http://www.pawneehillshoa.org/media/PHCA_BridlePaths.pdf

Petition Signing Opportunity this Wednesday!

We will be at the Mailhouse this Wednesday, July 17th between 5 and 7pm with the Petition available for signing.  Join with your neighbors and come over and sign.  We have enjoyed talking to you and meeting our new neighbors.  The conversation has been interesting and not always about chickens.

Petition Signing to allow poultry in Pawnee Hills- Sat, June 29. 8-12.

There will be an opportunity for the community to sign a petition to allow poultry in Pawnee Hills this Saturday, June 29th from 8am to 12pm at the Mail house.

Last year we put this to a vote and had a very positive response.  76 members (actually more but they were not eligible to vote due to past due balances on HOA dues), voted yes to allow chickens in our community. This is a very large percentage.  There are still members of our community that do not vote and from talking to those many are still suffering from misconceptions of the last Chicken Wars.  This community has a history of tattletales which left a fear of participation.  I can attest that participation is difficult but that doesn't mean we should just sit back and let things stay the same.

Many folks like to remain anonymous when voting or signing a petition.  This petition will allow for that. For more information regarding this petition, please stop by on Saturday morning.

Also, if you would like to volunteer some time to get signatures, send me an email at barbstc@gmail.com.