City shuns Y2K group's call to suspend ban on livestock Filed: May 25, 1999

By MARC BENJAMIN Californian staff writer e-mail: mbenjamin@bakersfield.com

A plan to allow rabbits and chickens to be raised for food in residential areas of Bakersfield has been scrambled by city officials.

The proposal, which would have allowed chickens and rabbits to be raised in nearly all residential areas, was discussed and panned during a meeting of the Bakersfield City Council's Legislative and Litigation Committee.

While the committee forwarded a recommendation to the full City Council suggesting residents prepare for Y2K the same way they would for an earthquake, they decided against advocating a task force's plan.

The proposal stemmed from a request by the Bakersfield Y2K Community Task Force, which sought suspension of the ordinance that prohibits livestock from being raised within city limits. The ordinance would have been suspended for a few months before Jan. 1, 2000 to a point after New Year's Day when Y2K concerns were resolved.

Task force members, who are local volunteers with an interest in year 2000 issues, said they want residents to be self-sufficient and able to raise their own food, such as rabbit meat, chickens and eggs, for themselves if prolonged utility problems occur or fuel shortages create difficulties in transportation of food.

City ordinances now allow pet rabbits, with a maximum of three per household. Chickens, however, are not permitted in most residential areas.

"We have confidence in our staff and the leaders of our city that any possible problem that might come up will be very short-lived and would be very solvable," said Councilwoman Jacquie Sullivan, a member of the committee. "What is being asked is to change city ordinances and it would be unnecessary and unfair to a majority of our residents to tamper with our zoning ordinances."

Sullivan said city officials intend to have meetings about year 2000 computer issues in the coming months.

"We are going to start encouraging residents who do have concerns to stock up on water and things they as individuals can do to help on any problem that may come up," Sullivan said. "If it seems there is a need, we will send out information. We want to help with the concerns, but there are ways to alleviate these concerns without changing our ordinances."

Councilman David Couch said he also believes city staff has a strong year 2000 program and plan.

"Our police and fire departments are going to be running some disaster and emergency tests over the next few months," he said. "As far as the food supply goes, our committee made the recommendation that people should prepare for Y2K as though they are preparing for an earthquake. They should have a few days of water and a few days of food on hand, but we don't think it will be a problem with our food supply or water supply."

But, Knute Berry, managing director of Sunny Farms and leader of Bakersfield's Year 2000 Community Task Force, contends Bakersfield city officials are not living up to their obligation to make the community year 2000 compliant.

"It is beyond them sticking their heads in the sand, they plainly do not understand the possible complications and domino effects that Y2K can present for us as evidenced by the billions of dollars large and small corporations, governments, kings and rulers around the world are using to try and correct the problems," he said.

"Our government is printing another $50 billion in money and they think it could be a two-hour hiccup," said Berry, who is calling for the city to address its Y2K compliance in a public meeting.

"I challenged them to publicly address the concerns of local residents, not in just a Web site or in the newspaper or on television, but a public forum where people can ask questions," Berry said. "The only thing chicken in this whole thing is them being chicken to do it. They should stop being chicken and come out and face the public."

Other city officials claim the city is ready.

"The concern the gentleman had at the meeting last week seems to be looking for a problem that doesn't exist," said Bob Trammell, management and information services director for Bakersfield. "We receive very few phone calls, one or two a month other than businesses that are quite regularly going through to check with their vendors and customers. I would anticipate we will get more toward the end of the year."

Trammell said Bakersfield addressed many of its Y2K problems during the past few years by replacing systems and software that required updating.

"There are a lot of cities and counties spending a lot of consultant money that we didn't have to, and that's something city management deserves a pat on the back for, avoiding a crisis to begin with," Trammell said.

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-- Drew (Kolosky@Prodigy.net), May 27, 1999

Answers

Yeah, maybe Bakersfield's municipal systems will be OK. What does that have to do with the growth and distribution of food?

Interesting mindset -- don't bother our zoning regulations in order to promote support of human life. This would be a different matter were the proposed variance open ended.

-- De (delewis@inetone.net), May 27, 1999.

Thanks!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 27, 1999.

I wonder if the zoning laws allow the raising of show birds...such as Polish chickens. They still produce eggs, but look different! I had been thinking of getting some Polish or other similar breeds to show in the County Fair. If you live in Bakersfield or anywhere where raising chickens are a problem, you might look into this. Alternatively, relocate to somewhere zoned agricultural.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), May 27, 1999.

Boy - and to consider that "Trammel" is reponsible for the city's systems, these are frightening words:

<< ... seems to be looking for a problem that doesn't exist," said Bob Trammell, management and information services director for Bakersfield. "We receive very few phone calls, one or two a month other than businesses that are quite regularly going through to check with their vendors and customers. I would anticipate we will get more toward the end of the year."

Trammell said Bakersfield addressed many of its Y2K problems during the past few years by replacing systems and software that required updating.

"There are a lot of cities and counties spending a lot of consultant money that we didn't have to, and that's something city management deserves a pat on the back for, avoiding a crisis to begin with," Trammell said. >>

First sentence, middle paragraph -> good, they did complete some remediation and repairs.

But to mindlessly conclude that "just because they are receiving few phone calls questioning the city's compliant status", that this somehow equates to "actually being compliant" is simply foolish.

The potential year 2000 disruptions have nothing to do with "polls" and "opinions" - they are physical and systemic problems coming from design and program logic - the processors don't care what Trammell (or any other citizen) "thinks" - they will work or fail based on what is programmed into them. Regardless of the number of phone calls received - this isn't "design by polls".

So when he is through taking credit for not spending money on consultants, I hope for every other Bakerfield citizen's sake, that he really did test every cicuit and function "himself" and that he will be eequally willing to admit his responsibility when/if they fail.

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), May 28, 1999.

Thank you all for your prayers and support in our effort here in Bakersfield, California. A grateful and humble THANK YOU!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support in our effort here in Bakersfield, California. A grateful and humble THANK YOU!!

The efforts and ideas of the Bakersfield Y2K task force stem from a lot of the other task forces across America and many wonderful, noble individuals that wish to contribute. Our goals here is not only to try and help out this community but also to use this community as a testing ground. Bakersfield is known to be used to test out a lot of products and services so why not continue to use this place to test out ideas that might benefit other communities for this Y2K Hiccup & Beyond.

The change in the animal ordinance was for a variance to the current law for a short period of time until Y2K subsided. We were going for literally only months. As for the animals we were looking at having. Well, it wasn't the massive commercial facilities that showed fertilizer piled higher than the camera people or large animals like oxen that plow the fields of China. Rather, a handful of hens (not roosters-noise you know), a handful of rabbits (not mountain lions with cottontails), and a handful of doves, etc. (not the prized winning Canadian Honkers). We wanted this because: 1. Provide more self-sufficiency during possible food interruptions 2. Provide fertilizer for growing a garden when a fertilizer store might not be able to be open. 3. Help calm down some fears of some concerned Americans. 4. A few small animals would help get rid of some of the left over food scraps/garbage that will probably not get picked up. Piled up garbage is a real rodent/bug/disease magnet and converting some of this waste to fertilizer sounded more sustainably logical. (Of course their argument was that they cannot think of one possible reason why the garbage trucks wouldn't be running, even if the garbage truck employees check did not get made out; our dedicated city staff is not going to be at home trying to take care of their family but out doing their regular job --collecting other people's garbage without pay) 5. Provide some heat for those that wish to utilize a greenhouse. A few small animals inside a greenhouse would naturally provide some wonderful heat units for growing purposes, provide more CO2 that the plants thrive off of, and help eliminate some bugs that might otherwise be eating at your garden. 6. Regardless of Y2K, the PCSD (President's Council on Sustainable Development) that has been meeting for many years now discussing many, many ways to help move America to a more Sustainable America invites and encourages any and all ideas that can help utilize our natural resources more efficiently, reduce waste in our landfills, reduce chemicals, help our air quality,...make this world a better place. The biggest problem that the PCSD is having is NOT coming up with ideas but getting the American public to be better stewards of this planet (ACTION). Well, Mr. President Sir, the PCSD, other regulatory boards, some of the people of America wish not only to survive Y2K but use Y2K as an "GROWTH OPPORTUNITY" to make a few changes to live in a better world come year 2000. Please help and contact Cheryl Little of the PCSD - Metropolitan & Rural Strategies Task Force Coordinator and ask for a PCSD position for Knute Berry to be created. Email: pcsd@erols.com or phone 202-408-5296 or fax 202- 408-7590. Please send me a note to Knute Berry, foods@sunnyfarms.com

FYI - A simple 3-word prayer "God Use Me" led to...Feed My Children. "Food will be power in the future" as James Stevens, author of the #1 preparedness handbooks - Making the Best of Basics, told me over the phone today. I agree, "Food will be power". For these reasons - To date we have discovered a new soil called Soil X, soon to be released. It is a soil that one has to grow. How about growing food that is more nutritious --Food as medicine? Reducing landfill waste. Need more help on the Free Energy Motor (if this is your field, your help would be appreciated). Built a large production dried food cannery that is currently packaging 100+ items for long term storage to help offset some of the previous shipping delays--PS..Wide open for business and looking for dealers especially churches/ religious organizations/ corporate America Corporations that really care about their employees. Professionally packaged foods, high quality at low prices packaged under our "Something Special" label. www.sunnyfarms.com

Re: Y2K and the City of Bakersfield, Ca. -Now accepting & praying for all willing Y2K contingent planners from other communities that feel they have made vast strides and wish to share/help. Please email me at foods@sunnyfarms.com

God Bless, Keep up all the good efforts. You are VERY much appreciated here in Bakersfield, Ca. Looking forward in hearing from you soon. I invite and encourage you to please copy and post this letter to your favorites places.

Your friend, Knute Berry

-- KNUTE BERRY (foods@sunnyfarms.com), May 29, 1999.