Opinion
Rush to draft new livestock ordinance stymies opportunity for review
While we have agreed with the city of Enid’s stance on limiting livestock in the city limits, after Tuesday’s heated discussion on the issue, we have to wonder what the hurry really has been in drafting the ordinance the way it was drafted.
City commissioners heard impassioned remarks from residents of Enid, including a former city attorney, who brought up some viable arguments regarding procedure and fairness. Carol Lahman, who was fired as city attorney and is well-known as an animal advocate, brought up some legitimate concerns it appears some on the commission, frankly, just didn’t want to hear.
We were somewhat startled when the mayor angrily told her they would have had a livestock ordinance already “if not for you.”
We don’t really have a quarrel with tightening the current ordinance that had a grandfather clause regarding keeping livestock on property in perpetuity. The city action Tuesday night did away with that grandfather clause, although it wasn’t clear in the agenda item the grandfather clause would be discussed.
Lahman noted the commissioners could table the ordinance so it can be made better. The commission apparently didn’t want any of that, and the mayor’s and city manager’s open disdain for Lahman made the meeting tense and counter-productive to producing a good livestock ordinance.
While commissioners may have had their reasons for parting ways with Lahman as city attorney, she always was a cautious advocate for making sure the law was being followed. That kind of attention helps keep city governments out of legal trouble.
We believe a tighter livestock ordinance in city limits is needed. It is the legitimate role of the city to consider zoning and make changes as necessary, and in this case, changes are necessary.
But, what’s most important is any ordinance that is drafted is done properly, has been properly vetted and discussed, and it doesn’t leave any legal loopholes.
Giving the ordinance two more weeks for review might have been helpful and quite possibly helped avoid the ill feelings that many, once again, hold for their city government.
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