6. GET THE MEDIA INVOLVED - I know it's scary to get the media involved and risk inviting opposition, but you will find a lot more support once the word gets out. You will discover there are illegal chickens owners out there who want to get involved because they are tired of hiding. Contact your newspaper's "environmental" reporter and pitch a "living green" story. Once this hits city hall, the media will be contacting you. Imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from The Wall Street Journal. Then an Associated Press reported contacted me. Next, it was Oregon Public Broadcasting's "Think Out Loud" show. Even if the articles are not as favorite as you had hoped (often the case), remember that any exposure is good.
7. TAKE IT TO THE CITY HALL - You've done all the research, garnered support and printed a professional packet. Now it's time to contact your city council members and ask that the issue be put on the agenda. It's best to have the issue supported and "hosted" by a council member, but if that's not possible, find out how your city council meetings function and if there is an opportunity for public comment. That's what we had to do in Salem. They refused to put us on the agenda, so we took advantage of the comment period at the end of every meeting. We handed out packets and had various speakers read prepared speeches. Learn the protocol for bringing an item up for discussion with your public officials.
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