Monday night, the City Council in Visalia, California rejected the ordinance amendment to allow chickens and ONCE AGAIN completely ignored our requests to add mini goats to a future agenda for future discussion and consideration.
This means that the goats will not be legalized through the city council. So what’s next?
OUR ACTION PLAN
While we had hoped to work with city officials on this project, since they have refused to work with us, we are now going to legalize miniature goats – (and we’re taking the chickens with us!) – through a citizens initiative despite their obstructionism.
An initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote. We’re still exploring our legal options with the excellent services of Melo and Sarsfield LLP here in Visalia, who are taking on this cause of ours. But one thing is for sure: We’re confident we’ll get this on the ballot, and once this decision is put to the PEOPLE and not to career politicians engaged in class warfare (civilized people just don’t live among chickens and goats, you see) we will have a huge victory for food freedom in Visalia!
YOU CAN CHECK OUT RECENT NEWS COVERAGE OF THE RALLY AND OUR EFFORTS HERE:
Playboy Magazine – “Illegal Goats Are Sadly a Thing in California” – June 2, 2015
KMPH Fox 26 News – “Fighting City Hall – Visalia Mom Tries to Change the Law to Feed Her Kids” – June 1, 2015
ABC30 Action News – “Visalia Residents Fight to Raise Chickens and Goats in the Their Backyards” – June 1, 2015
NBC KSEE 24- “Visalia Leaders Vote Down Chicken Ordinance” – June 1, 2015
Love, Guns and Freedom Radio Show on KTOX 1340 AM – Segment on Mini Goats in Visalia – May 31, 2015
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP!
While we’ve got some amazing professional help working pro bono on this cause, we are still in serious need of financial support to help get the word out and cover legal fees.
From simple things like stickers, paper, fliers, ink, signs and gas, to larger expenses like filing fees, legal fees and outreach / advertising fees, we NEED YOUR HELP! All of the money donated thus far is going toward these expenses, but it won’t be enough for ongoing outreach.
This has been from it’s very inception a grassroots venture and the average Joes like myself behind this effort are operating off of a tight budget, just pitching in wherever and whenever we can. Everything we have done so far is from help from PEOPLE LIKE YOU. I am just amazed and humbled by how many in the community have stepped up, stepped out and thrown in a hand to help make this happen. I’m blessed beyond words to have so many generous and caring men and women step forward to stand with me in this fight.
If you would like to be a part of changing the law in favor of food freedom in Visalia, help me get my goats back, and restore property rights to over 100,000 residents in Visalia, please consider making a donation below! Every little bit helps!!
Thank you to all who came out to Monday nights rally. Thank you to those who have thrown in financial support. And thank you to those who took the time to call or write to the city concerning this issue.
Speaking of! If you have written to the City Council concerning mini goats, please take a moment to thank Vice Mayor Warren Gubler and Council Member Amy Shuklian for listening to the majority of Visalians and voting in favor of property rights and food freedom! Let them know you will REMEMBER HOW THEY VOTED!!
– Vice Mayor E. Warren Gubler; wgubler@ci.visalia.ca.us
– Council Member Amy Shuklian; ashuklian@ci.visalia.ca.us
Not happy with the Council Members who put the “invisible dissent no-shows” above the majority asking for a restoration of their God-given rights? Let them know that you WILL REMEMBER HOW THEY VOTED!
– Mayor Steven Nelsen; snelsen@ci.visalia.ca.us
– Council Member Greg Collins; greg.collins@ci.visalia.ca.u
– Council Member Bob Link; blink@ci.visalia.ca.us
You go, girl. I love the initiative you are taking and your leadership in this cause. Being ignored by the officials is no reason to quit, so wishing you all the best. Go goats!
Yeah, these folks REALLY had no idea what they were getting themselves into when they chose to ignore me and thousands of others. 😉
Wow, this sounds like my City Council! I am sorry you couldn’t get this figured out through them, but happy you are moving forward now without them and letting the people decide! I have a favorite quote that I have used as I became politically involved years ago, “Just because you don’t take an interest in politics, doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”
The majority CLEARLY wants my goats returned and the freedom for ALL Visalians to have small food producing animals on their private property. We are the CLEAR majority, so I know once this is on the ballot, we’re golden. 😉
Gingi… I am SO proud of you for contining with this cause…I will contine Tweeting any and all updates for you… I hope it helps… I totally believe in your cause and I see you getting this passed xox ♡♡♡
Thank you Launna!! It means a lot to me!!! <3 <3
I’m so sorry to hear that City Council said no, but it’s awesome that you are taking the vote to the people. Invisible dissent should not count for more than the people who showed up. It’s so inspiring the way you are tackling this issue! Hooray for goats and chickens!
Exactly!!! It will make the council members who said no look REALLY FOOLISH when the people vote contrary to their obstructionism.. heh.
Gingi, ALL THE BEST LUCK!!
the goats and chickens are lucky to have you on their side! you are doing great work gingi and i wish you the best of luck! love, liz
Good luck with your endeavors! It’s a worthy cause you are fighting for 🙂
<3
This is quite the protest, I hope it works out
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
You rock! I love how passionate you are about this.
This is a great cause.
Goats should have rights too.
XO
Check my new post.
The Bandwagon Chic | Instagram | Bloglovin
It’s more for property rights and human rights.. but yeah! hehe.. <3
Gingi, I’m finding in mind blowing that you are taking all this initiative for your goats friends AND you have a newborn, you are amazing! Will continue sending up prayers your way. Hope your baby is a good sleeper. HOpe all works out!!!!
LOL, thank goodness both my girls sleep through the night!! Don’t know how I’d do it otherwise!!! <3
So awesome to see progress being made!
You’re really rallying the troops, lady! Keep up the great work!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Yeah, it’s kind of fun! <3
I hope everything goes well for you!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
I wish you much more support, finances and coverage. Playboy magazine – sheesh that’s big.
You go, girl!
Right?! Scratch that of the bucket list I didn’t know I had…
Sorry to hear they said No! Bummer! Good luck, Gingi.
xox
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
It’s not so bad.. now all the power is in our hands!
Wow! You are doing such a great job with this. I’m sorry some people aren’t cooperating. I’ll try to do a #progoat tweet when I tweet this evening.
Thank you for being so supportive!! <3
Listen to the people … keep on talking, and pushing the message.
All the best Jan
Very best of luck to you and your awesome cause, stay strong!! x
♥.•*¨ Amanda Says ¨*•.♥
Hi Gingi! You are really workin’ it! And it looks like you have a LOT of like-minded people joining you. I hope your initiative goes forward!
Blessings,
Ceil
Thank you Ceil! <3
Love what you’re doing! Keep it up! 🙂
http://www.vanessasrunway.com
You are truly inspiring me. Such a hardworking person. Congrats on all of your effort, you’ll get there!
xx Naomi in Wonderland
<3
wtf?
i didn’t get why the hell they repulsed by having a mini goat as a pet ??
This is so amazing and inspiring…I am so glad that you are pushing forward! This is such a great cause!
a true cause! like it
I wish you an happy day
fashion blogger Pamela Soluri
<3
I’ve been so behind and I’m finally catching up. I’m so bummed that they rejected the ordinance! Hopefully the people will have their say and you’ll get your family members back. Stay strong my friend.