In reference to Wayne L. Rathburn's letter to The Press on Sunday, July 18, I'd like to assure him that the sky IS NOT falling in Coeur d'Alene. It seems his feathers are ruffled because the City Council is going to reconsider their recent decision to limit the number of chickens one may have.

I have continuously owned between three and eight egg-laying hens in my backyard in city limits for the past 17 years and have had nothing but positive comments from my neighbors. During that time about 20 different neighbors have lived in the five properties that adjoin my lot without one complaint. The hens are entertaining to watch, the clucking is soothing, the kids love feeding them and everyone loves the dark-yoked eggs I occasionally pass over the fence. There has never been a problem with smell.

In response to his remark that this is the "21st century," I think a move toward sustainable lifestyles and using local products IS the wave of the future. Many people are more concerned now than in the past, for example, about whether their food is fresh and safe. In the last couple of years I've seen a huge increase of interest in raising backyard chickens. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the last time I asked, those "pigs, cows, goats and sheep" he fears coming next, have always been allowed in Coeur d'Alene and are doing just fine, thank you. Oh, and horses too.

Mr. Rathburn also tells Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Edinger to "grow up" and attacks them for thinking about "the votes this decision will generate." I wonder if he expects them to govern the city contrary to the wishes of the people they are supposed to serve?

I don't know what kind of "emerging city" Mr. Rathburn envisions, but I like the country touch we have a whole lot better than the concrete jungles that are out there, wishing they could be more like Coeur d'Alene.

BILL KAUFFMAN

Coeur d'Alene