Pulse: Crusade for backyard livestock comes up empty
October 14, 2012 11:24PM
Will County Board member Tim Weigel sought to make it easier for residents to have chickens, pot-bellied pigs and other animals. | Sun-Times Media file photo
Updated: November 16, 2012 6:12AM
Will County Board member Tom Weigel, R-New Lenox, is giving up his one-man crusade to make it easier for residents in unincorporated areas of the county to own “micro-livestock.”
Weigel, chairman of the county board’s land use and zoning committee, thinks the county’s new zoning ordinance makes it too costly for people to own chickens, pygmy goats or potbellied pigs.
As of Oct. 1, it costs $675 for a special-use permit to be able to own the pint-sized pets. Weigel said he tried to get the fee changed for county residents who are facing higher grocery bills.
“Families can get eggs or food at a lower cost,” Weigel said. “We’ve got a real tight economy.”
But a majority of the land use committee disagreed with Weigel.
No bus, no Ruby
An Ohio restaurateur who mouthed off to Drew Peterson had his court appearance postponed last week.
Jeff Ruby, who owns a number of upscale restaurants in the Midwest, usually rolls into Joliet in a luxury bus painted with his company logo.
Ruby was kicked off the Will County Courthouse property after he mouthed, “---- you” to Peterson during his murder trial and is facing a contempt of court charge.
Ruby now is scheduled to appear in court Friday.
No relation
“Hi, I’m Dave Carlson. I’m running for state’s attorney. First, since everyone asks, Marlene and I are not related,” — the Republican candidate’s opening statement at the Will County candidates forum Thursday at the University of St. Francis, which also featured Marlene Carlson, Republican candidate for circuit court clerk.
Dave Carlson is challenging incumbent Democrat James Glasgow, while Marlene Carlson faces incumbent Democrat Pamela McGuire.
Cindy Wojdyla Cain, Janet Lundquist and Brian Stanley contributed to Pulse.
