There’s always Russell Stover Candies.
For those hoping to have homegrown Easter eggs, they won’t be coming from Iola backyards.
In a narrow vote, Iola city council members nixed an ordinance Monday night that would have permitted Iolans to raise up to five chickens a household.
In favor of the ordinance were Nancy Ford, Eugene Myrick, Jon Wells and Steve French. Those opposed were Bev Franklin, Sandy Zornes and Don Becker. And while that would seem to pass the measure, because it was an ordinance Mayor Joel Wicoff could also participate in the vote. Which he did, and voted no, which made the vote 4-4. The measure needed to pass by a majority of the nine-member council. In the case of a tie, the measure fails. Councilman Bob Shaughnessy was absent.
While Franklin voted for the measure at earlier meetings, she said she had changed her mind because of responses from her constituents who are against allowing chicken coops in city limits.
“I can’t vote for it now,” she said.
For the most part, the vote seems to fall along generational lines.
Becker said he thought most of the supporters were youths.
Myrick, who works with the SAFE BASE after-school program, said many of the students have expressed their eagerness to raise chickens and were trying to get their parents involved.
RYAN SELL, deputy fire chief and EMS director, was put on the hot seat.
Up for discussion was whether to pay Sell an additional $800 a month for duties above and beyond those in his current contract.
Council members Becker, French and Ford voiced their concern the city’s budget could not support the stipend.
French went so far as to ask Sell if he would be willing to perform the duties at no cost.
“Would you be willing to work for free?” French asked.
Clearly uncomfortable, Sell replied he would rather discuss the issue in private.
Ford asked, “Should we eliminate the position? It seems we cannot afford it.”
