If you agree that we need to do everything we can to keep bees flourishing in Howard County, please

Honey Bees play a vital part in pollinating the food crops all across the globe and Honey Bees worldwide have been decreasing due to problems including parasites and Colony Collapse Disorder. Honey Bees are also responsible for ONE THIRD of our overall food supply

Last Fall, the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) of Howard County, Maryland interpreted the existing laws resulting in the classification of “livestock” to include bees and beehives.

This interpretation will affect the majority of beekeepers in Howard County, the lone backyard beekeeper who is often considered the backbone of beekeeping, forcing them discontinue this time honored profession.

Since then, Howard County Beekeepers Assn (HCBA) has been working closely with the Howard County Council to insure a viable & vibrant beekeeping community will continue to flourish.

County Council Members Mary Kay Sigaty and Greg Fox have proposed a bill “to allow apiaries to be located within the current 200 foot setback on residential lots under certain conditions…..” is ZRA-117.

For the full text, please see: http://www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/ZRA%20117tsr.pdf

http://www.howardcountymd.gov/CountyCouncil/CC_ZoningRegulationAmendments.htm.

On November 5, 2009 Howard County Council persons Mary Kay Sigaty and Greg Fox, Petitioners for ZRA-117 will testify before the County Planning board at a public hearing.

The Planning Board meeting will be held:

http://www.co.ho.md.us/DPZ/boardscommissions.htm – planning+boardhttp://www.co.ho.md.us/DPZ/boardscommissions.htm#planning%20board

They NEED our support by attending and giving testimony at this hearing.

There is an opposing side which has organized AGAINST Beekeeping, the zoning change and will testify accordingly.

(…As briefly noted in the May 18, 2009 minutes from the Hickory Ridge Association meeting:  http://hickoryridgecommunityassociation.org/pdf/VB%205.18.09.pdf )

This is not a slam-dunk for those who cherish the role of honey bees

And

It is NOT just a problem for Howard County Residents.

Many beekeepers, gardeners, nature lovers and friends live in neighboring counties….and bees don’t care about county lines.

We need EVERTYONE’S support and testimony.

We are facing an uphill battle.

It is easier to just say no and that is what the opposition wants the Planning board to do. “Not in my Backyard” is one of their standpoints.

We must presume they are uninformed about honeybees and won’t listen to reason. (That has been our experience to date when we attempted a dialogue)

It is our job to convince the Planning Board that bees are NOT negotiable and NOT expendable but an important,non threatening resource everyone needs.

An impressive number of experts, people outside of HCBA and from a wide spectrum have been asked to testify on our and the Honey Bees behalf.

We need EVERYONE’S help who is able!

The planning board counts heads! This is just one reason why we must show up in mass.

They may ask for a show of hands from those supporting the law change and then one from those against it. We want to win that count by an overwhelming margin.

PLEASE CONSIDER TESTIFYING

One of our best assets will be the next-door neighbors of beekeepers testifying about their experiences, that bees aren’t a problem. Or people in the generally community that are passionate that honeybees are important….

This kind of testimony is immensely helpful in offsetting negative comments made by our foes.

Mary Kay and Greg have requested that an individual’s testimony be limited to about 3 minutes. Fewer carefully chosen words can have more impact than a lot of excess verbiage. Say what is necessary to get your points across

6 hard copies of your testimony are needed. That way the planning board can follow along as you read it and highlight what they feel is important.

Your written testimony can be much longer than the portion that you present.

You just need to limit your presentation to 3 minutes.

Have any questions regarding testimony or rules of procedure?

Contact Lisa Kenney (410) 313-4373 or lkenney@howardcountymd.gov

If you agree that we need to do everything we can to keep bees flourishing in Howard County, please

For updates check:

http://www.theChemFreeBee.com

http://www.hcbamd.org

Again…..Thanks so much for plowing through this….. even more for your support.