The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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March 1, 2009

Your View — Keep Mankato chicken free

Jim Tessien, Mankato

I am strongly opposed to allowing chickens within the city limits of Mankato.

Chickens are dirty, they smell and can carry disease and parasites. Chickens attract mice, rats and predators such as fox, skunks and feral cats.

There are some groups that will disregard the rules, either on purpose or through ignorance. They will have larger flocks, maybe improper cages and large slaughtering operations.

Mankato just received regional status; let’s not revert to Mayberry status.

I can just imagine our leaders meeting with officers of some large company considering a move to locate in Mankato. You can tell their top executive, “oh, by the way, you may be living next to a chicken coop and a chicken slaughtering operation.” That will sure impress them.

Not a smart call.

What justification will you use to deny later requests for pot-bellied pigs, Shetland ponies, or small cows and goats for milk, maybe other animals for fur, or leather or steaks? This is a slippery slope and I can guarantee lawsuits demanding these rights.

I know this is one of those feel-good, hip ideas, but let’s keep Mankato a clean regional center.

Some of our leaders seem to be going off the deep end. Let’s keep it sane in Mankato.

Folks from St. Peter and other towns should butt out — this is a Mankato issue. Don’t fall for the hype. Stop the nonsense and its added cost, bad image and enforcement problems.

No chickens, please.

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