2011年8月18日星期四

Senior citizen fights village officials over chicken coop

On peaceful property along the Huron River in the village of Milford, three regal birds of a British breed and aptly named Kate, Queenie and Fergie rule the roost, but maybe not for long.

A judge has ruled the birds' owner, 93-year-old Archie Noon, is violating a village ordinance.

Archie wanted to have some fun, and make a little cash so he built a henhouse, called his property Bridgeview Farm, and started selling eggs by the side of the road.

But it all ruffled the feathers of village officials, and Archie got ticketed.

"Throughout the whole country, there's backyard chickens being raised all the time," Noon said. "So why can't we do that in Milford?"

The two sides ended up in court, with Archie claiming the Michigan Right to Farm Act allows him to have the hens and sell their eggs. But a judge this week said because Archie hardly made any money, just $14, the business was not profitable, and could not be protected by any laws.

"How do you develop a profitable business in that short period of time," Noon says.

He just started the business in May.

Archie now has 60 days to get rid of his birds and pay a 50 dollar fine.

But Archie says he is not chickening out and he will appeal, and if he loses, the chickens will have to fly the coop.

Milford’s Village Manager says the animal control ordinance is in effect to protect the character of the community, and the ordinance must apply to everyone.

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