A tied election where both candidates won

Here’s a feel-good story from a mostly feel-bad election. In Galt, California, Matthew Pratton and Bonnie Rodriguez each got 3,882 votes for one seat on the city council. After jokesters (including Pratton) suggested the election be decided by a milking contest, a chicken chase, or wrestling in Jell-O, the parties settled on drawing straws.

Pratton won the draw. But here’s what I love, love, love about this story. Another member of the council, Rich Lozano, had to resign because he was elected to a different office. So Pratton and the other council members appointed Rodriguez to fill the vacant seat.

Aw. So much winning! For real. Continue Reading →

Chicken Parade – Don’t Take Away Our Birds

On Monday, July 29 at 8:00 a.m., Des Moines residents opposed to changing the City’s chicken ordinance will parade with their birds around City Hall, 400 Robert Ray Drive, to show community support for maintaining Des Moines’ strong, long-standing ordinance allowing residents to raise chickens and other poultry. The event is called Chicken Parade – Don’t Take Away Our Birds.

At least one Des Moines City Council member wants significant changes to the City’s ordinance, with a proposal under consideration that would outlaw roosters and reduce the number of hens allowed from 30 to 12.
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