Editor, The Spotlight;
I congratulate The Spotlight for the insight expressed in its editorial: Chickens have a place in suburbia.
The city of Albany would now have comprehensive legislation for the keeping of a limited number of pet hens if it were not for former Mayor Jerry Jennings.
A young couple in the south-end of Albany requested a change in the law. The Albany Common Council after initial rejection listened to testimony from many responsible groups and individuals. Subsequently, the common council approved the proposed change in the law to allow for hens. I was one of those who testified in support having first-hand experience and knowledge of the hobby and owning hens in Queens County and in suburban L.I. Mayor Jennings vetoed the legislation but the common council was unable to over-ride it lacking a super majority. In his veto, the former mayor stated that the group should have first met with him to discuss the proposed law. The fact is during the entire previous fall, the supporters of the legislation were rejected by the mayor’s office at every attempt on their part to meet with him. The young couple now live elsewhere. I have confidence that Mayor Kathy Sheehan will follow a different path than her predecessor.
Gerard Houser
Guilderland