Village Council gets down to ‘bees’-ness over new ordinance
Village Council gets down to ‘bees’-ness over new ordinance
On Monday, the Gambier Village Council met to discuss villagers’ concerns with a recent beekeeping ordinance, updates on Kenyon building projects and preparation for the Village Lights Event.
One attendee, Jake Mackey, arrived with complaints about a recent amendment to the Village’s zoning code, Ordinance 2024-09, which outlines local restrictions on beekeeping. Mackey came on behalf of his parents, who are residents of the Village, and whose beehive had to be removed by Mackey due to the new law. Aimed to keep villagers from being stung, the change in the ordinance states that beehives must be a minimum distance of 20 feet from all property lines and sidewalks.
Mackey primarily criticized the lack of communication between the Village and his parents, who currently reside in Florida while waiting for work to be completed on their Gambier home. Claiming his parents were kept in the dark about the full implications of the ordinance, Mackey inquired as to why he and his parents were not more involved in the process of a Council decision that would seriously impact their property, as the Council usually seeks input from residents who may be affected by ordinances during the legislative process.
Additionally, Mackey believed the new ordinance to be somewhat pointless. He argued that bees don’t often sting people unprovoked, and only do so when they are antagonized. Mackey also mentioned that bees from his parents’ hive, as well as all other hives in the Village, fly multiple miles at a time to get pollen, so enforcing a required minimum distance from a walkway is futile.
The Council was understanding of Mackey’s frustration, but continued to emphasize the public safety concern surrounding beehives. The Council explained that many people are allergic to bees, and the original complaint about beehives prompting the adjustment to Village code came from someone who was allergic. Mackey maintained that it is the responsibility of whoever is hiking or walking to carry an EpiPen if they are allergic, since they could get stung by a bee regardless of whether the hive is there. “I am allergic to black chestnut trees. If I told you to cut down the black chestnut trees that I’m allergic to, you’d tell me to take a hike,” Mackey argued.
The Council said it was open to a possible exception for Mackey’s parents that would allow them to keep their hive where it was previously. Although nothing could be resolved at Monday’s meeting, the Council told Mackey that the conversation would be continued.
Vice President for Facilities, Planning and Sustainability Ian Smith P’24’27 gave his monthly update on Kenyon activities to the Council. Smith announced that the construction of Thomas Hall is effectively complete and that the building is set to open for the spring semester. He added that Kenyon is open to the possibility of letting students move into Thomas Hall at the end of the fall semester before they leave for winter break. Winkler Hall, the residence located on the opposite side of Middle Path, is still on track to be ready for students in the fall of 2025.
The Council is aiming to advertise Gambier’s second annual Village Lights Event, set to take place on Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. The festival will have live music as well as local vendors and markets. Because the College helped make last year’s event such a success, the Village wants to ensure it gets as much student involvement as possible.
The next Village Council meeting will be held Dec. 2.
One attendee, Jake Mackey, arrived with complaints about a recent amendment to the Village’s zoning code, Ordinance 2024-09, which outlines local restrictions on beekeeping. Mackey came on behalf of his parents, who are residents of the Village, and whose beehive had to be removed by Mackey due to the new law. Aimed to keep villagers from being stung, the change in the ordinance states that beehives must be a minimum distance of 20 feet from all property lines and sidewalks.
Mackey primarily criticized the lack of communication between the Village and his parents, who currently reside in Florida while waiting for work to be completed on their Gambier home. Claiming his parents were kept in the dark about the full implications of the ordinance, Mackey inquired as to why he and his parents were not more involved in the process of a Council decision that would seriously impact their property, as the Council usually seeks input from residents who may be affected by ordinances during the legislative process.
Additionally, Mackey believed the new ordinance to be somewhat pointless. He argued that bees don’t often sting people unprovoked, and only do so when they are antagonized. Mackey also mentioned that bees from his parents’ hive, as well as all other hives in the Village, fly multiple miles at a time to get pollen, so enforcing a required minimum distance from a walkway is futile.
The Council was understanding of Mackey’s frustration, but continued to emphasize the public safety concern surrounding beehives. The Council explained that many people are allergic to bees, and the original complaint about beehives prompting the adjustment to Village code came from someone who was allergic. Mackey maintained that it is the responsibility of whoever is hiking or walking to carry an EpiPen if they are allergic, since they could get stung by a bee regardless of whether the hive is there. “I am allergic to black chestnut trees. If I told you to cut down the black chestnut trees that I’m allergic to, you’d tell me to take a hike,” Mackey argued.
The Council said it was open to a possible exception for Mackey’s parents that would allow them to keep their hive where it was previously. Although nothing could be resolved at Monday’s meeting, the Council told Mackey that the conversation would be continued.
Vice President for Facilities, Planning and Sustainability Ian Smith P’24’27 gave his monthly update on Kenyon activities to the Council. Smith announced that the construction of Thomas Hall is effectively complete and that the building is set to open for the spring semester. He added that Kenyon is open to the possibility of letting students move into Thomas Hall at the end of the fall semester before they leave for winter break. Winkler Hall, the residence located on the opposite side of Middle Path, is still on track to be ready for students in the fall of 2025.
The Council is aiming to advertise Gambier’s second annual Village Lights Event, set to take place on Dec. 8 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. The festival will have live music as well as local vendors and markets. Because the College helped make last year’s event such a success, the Village wants to ensure it gets as much student involvement as possible.
The next Village Council meeting will be held Dec. 2.
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