What do chickens and cell phones have in common?
Submitted by Sarah Cobler on June 15, 2009 - 2:16pm.
What do chickens and cell phones have in common?
They can both be regulated by city governments.
Local governments make some pretty important decisions that affect our daily lives. City governments decide where and how our cities grow. They plan for bike and pedestrian travel. They can boost small business growth in urban centers, and promote green building. They may even review and take up their own contribution to global warming, and devise plans to mitigate. Interestingly, the most contentious issues are usually the most...surprising.
My own City Council in Missoula debated and legislated on issues like whether or not people can own chickens inside the City limits (we can), if you can talk or text on your phone while driving a car or riding a bike (they said we can't, but the mayor's veto pen struck the cell phone but maintained the ban on texting while driving), and where Missoulians can walk their dog without a leash.
The point is, these governing bodies are powerful, and they provide a critical entry point for citizen lawmakers. Local governments provide the foundation for sound city planning, clean water and air. In most cases, city councils or mayors appoint their own boards and commissions too.
With that said, why don't you run?
Candidates must file for office for city councils and commissions, as well as mayoral posts by July 2nd. Running a winning campaign isn't for everyone, but its worth considering.
If you've thought about running for office, but aren't sure how, drop me a message. MCV provides top-notch candidate training, and helps prepare conservationists to run for office from City Council to Congress. Maybe this is your year.
