Property Rights Under Siege: From Canadian Ostriches to Wyoming Wind Development

On October 1, 2025, guest host Brad Beck fills in for Kim Monson to explore property rights under siege across North America. Patty McKernan discusses her Centennial City Council campaign, Mike Rawluk exposes threats to public meeting transparency, Trent Loos warns about Canadian government overreach against ostrich farmers, and Wendy Volk details her fight against a massive Wyoming wind development project. Centennial City Council: Standing for Local Control Start listening at 16:22 – Hour 1 Patty McKernan explains why she entered the race for Centennial City Council District 3 after learning about proposals to mandate single trash haulers for all residents. The proposal, she argues, represents government overreach into free market decisions, following a pattern of special interests pushing similar regulations across Colorado municipalities. McKernan emphasizes that citizens must examine the consequences of legislation before rubber-stamping seemingly innocuous proposals. Centennial has maintained fiscal responsibility since its founding nearly 25 years ago, and McKernan warns that Democrats have announced plans to target local municipal races after securing control at the state level. She urges voters to protect home-rule charter governance and resist outside influences from Denver. “I can’t tell other people to do this and not do it myself.” Patty McKernan, Centennial City Council Candidate Public Meeting Transparency Under Attack Start listening at 28:52 – Hour 1 Mike Rawluk of the Ralston Valley Coalition reveals that Arvada removed online testimony options from planning commission and city council meetings, citing cost concerns of approximately $12,000 to $14,000 monthly. All six city council candidates at a recent forum agreed the option should return, but Rawluk questions why government prioritizes other spending over First Amendment access. The threat extends to state government, where the Legislative Council considers eliminating live streaming of committee meetings in 2026. Kim Monson, Natalie Menton, and other advocates signed a Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition letter opposing the change. Rawluk argues online access enables citizens with mobility issues, second jobs, or parental responsibilities to participate in democracy without taking entire days off work. The discussion expanded to AI’s role in land use planning, with candidates advocating for diverse small businesses over cookie-cutter retail developments to build resilience against technological displacement. Rawluk also raised concerns about drone delivery programs, license plate readers, and surveillance cameras collecting data on private citizens. “Being in a setting where you can be a little more nimble helps as well.” Mike Rawluk, Ralston Valley Coalition Canadian Government Threatens 400 Healthy Ostriches Start listening at 71:42 – Hour 2 Trent Loos, a sixth-generation Nebraska farmer and rancher, brings attention to Universal Ostrich Farm in Canada, where the government ordered euthanization of nearly 400 healthy ostriches, some 37 years old, based on H5N1 PCR tests. The family secured a court stay just hours before the culling was set to begin, and hundreds of supporters now camp at the farm with food trucks and television cameras monitoring the birds. Loos connects this case to broader property rights concerns, noting the United States has euthanized over 80 million poultry based on simil...