Trying to outlaw beekeeping in BA, OK!!! town meeting! be there!

[weBEE Jammin]

Broken Arrow, which is a suburb of Tulsa, OK, is trying to make it illegal to keep bees within city limits. They are having a city board meeting this Tues,May 4 at 6:30pm. We could use all the support possible from all people (bring your family and friends) that live close, to help overturn their decision. We will show up at 6pm at 220 S. First St in Broken Arrow. Even if you do not live in BA, your town or city could be next? Help us to civily educate the board of BA about how much we depend on honey bees, and all the things they do for us. You may be able to google for an e-mail address for the city of Broken Arrow, OK? Thank you for any support you may give.

[riverrat]

what is the reasoning behind there wanting to outlaw beekeeping in the city limits

[Ollie]

what is the reasoning behind there wanting to outlaw beekeeping in the city limits

Same as it always is: Ignorance

[riverrat]

not nescesarily. Not trying to defend the city and there rediculous laws but ingnorance runs on both sides of the fence there is a lot of beekeeps out that havent done there homework that make it hard on the majority that do.

[Shawn]

We had the same thing here last year. Here is the post I started and the results.

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,21723.0.html

I did just talk with a council man two weeks ago and he did tell me our city now has an ordinance saying a person can only have 4 hives per property within the city limits.

[Bee Happy]

I wouldn't say that allowing a couple swarms to escape and go feral in the city of broken arrow is a terrific idea, but it seems that fear rules lots of cities lately.

[Shawn]

I bet if they really look they will find they alrady have numerous feral hives. I did the same thing and showed the city workers where I found 4 different hives in the down town area.

[AllenF]

At least here in Georgia, that state has a law that cities and counties can not restrict bee hives.

[weBEE Jammin]

The city of BA has just postponed the vote on beekeeping to the May 18th board meeting now. I guess we opened a few ears already. I heard it is the BA Home Owner's Assoc. that is wanting to ban bee keeping within city limits! We have an beekeeping attorney that is a drawing up papers that will be pro beekeeping to submit to the board. We still will need all the bodies that can to show up to peacefully voice their views. Thank everyone for your support.

[Michael Bush]

The most logical argument is that having gentle bees will fill a niche that may otherwise be filled by wild bees and, in OK, there is the fear that those wild bees may be Africanized.  The best way to keep Africanized bees out is to crowd them out with European honey bees...  "Nature abhors a vacuum."--Aristotle

[iddee]

How about an update?

[weBEE Jammin]

The update is the town meeting for beekeepers will be on Tues., May 18 at 6:30pm. We need supporters to show up about 6pm.

[iddee]

Thanks. I sent a link to Kim Flottom. You may be getting some help from Bee Culture magazine. We'll see.

[philinacoma]

Good luck.