More noise on noise

OFF THE WIRE
The noise about noise seems to be paramount on most citizens' minds.... what truly bothers me is..... most are oblivious to the noise they create late Friday night with their parties into the wee hours, drunkards singing karaoke off key, yelling to be heard over one another; the lawn mower start ups at 6:30 in the AM, and the blaring music that reverberates against home windows... folks seem oblivious to those items, but when it comes to motorcycles, they seem to be annoyed by exhaust noise!
We're seeing more and more "noise about noise" in the news day by day; and more communities enacting legislation that specifically targets motorcyclists. Big Brother seems to be up our asses and down our throats at all times, and if motorcyclists aren't careful, the right to even ride... will be a thing of the past. How some folks can sit idly by and not get involved and remain apathetic, is beyond me!
Gypsy
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http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/articles/2010/06/08/news/2647048.txt Lack of noise ordinance attributed to lack of public concern
BY SCOT ANDREW PITZER Times Staff Writer Published: Tuesday, June 8, 2010 1:11 AM EDT Two years after a noise ordinance was proposed in Gettysburg, the proposal continues to mire away under legal review, and many officials have conceded that the code is not a public concern right now.
A proposed noise ordinance, patterned after a code in Lancaster City, was forwarded to the borough's law firm for review in November 2008 - and the draft remains there today.
"I've actually been a little disappointed that we haven't had more citizen input," said Gettysburg Councilman Michael J. Birkner. "If complaints from the community come out, and we have a problem that's perceived, it's more likely to be dusted off," added Birkner. "We've had relatively little input, and I think that in the end, council decision-making is often driven by the public."
Constitutionality and enforcement concerns have plagued the progress of the ordinance, which was designed to reduce noise pollution and curtail incessant clatter, such as motorcycle and truck noise.
"I am a general believer that we ought to have a noise ordinance in town," said Birkner. "We do have a noise issue, and it does happen, not just at Bike Week, but at other times of the year," continued the fourth-year board member. "I think there is a way to deal with it."
Borough Council Solicitor Harold Eastman informed the nine-member board earlier this year that he has not had a "real chance to work on (the ordinance) for a period of time," noting that "there have been other issues that have been hotter." But Eastman did point out that the drafted ordinance is in his "top 10" list of projects.
Borough Council President John Butterfield said previously that noise complaints are the "single biggest issue" that he hears about from constituents. "I thought it was going to happen last year," Butterfield said regarding the ordinance. "I hope we get it out and get it into the public arena for debate."
Others, like Gettysburg Police Chief Joe Dougherty, have questioned enforceability, noting that his department does not have equipment to monitor noise. Additionally, the department lacks officers trained to utilize the equipment.
Enforcement of the Gettysburg ordinance, according to the draft, will be complaint driven, meaning that police won't regulate the code, unless citizens complain. Veteran Councilman Ted Streeter has stated that the proposed code must include an "objective standard for reasonable noise, not a subjective standard."
Butterfield explained that council has been working on other "pressing" ordinances, such as recycling and signage laws, and all were considered priorities over the noise ordinance. Also, the workload for Eastman has increased by 40 percent since a five-seat turnover on council in 2007, in which the board focused on modernizing its outdated ordinance book.
The proposed ordinance prohibits all "noise disturbances," defined as sounds that endanger the safety or health of humans and animals and annoy or disturb citizens or visitors. Seventeen sections of prohibited noise disturbances were listed in the latest draft, including lawnmowers, trucks, construction vehicles, and animals.