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| County tackles noise issue |
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| Written by Danetta Barker | |
| Wednesday, 16 July 2008 | |
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By Danetta Barker Editor “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? That infamous question might not have been answered, but if a dog barks in the night you can bet your life that some one will hear it and report it. Judge Executive Larry Foxworthy and the magistrates discussed at length a noise ordinance that would provide a basis for handling loud noises, in particular the barking of multiple dogs. “We need to determine what is unreasonably loud and disturbing,” Foxworthy said. “There will be gray areas.” Magistrate Kenny Souder was concerned about creating more problems by passing an ordinance directed at people’s animals. County Attorney John Price said an ordinance would allow penalties to be in place for problems. “It would be like public disturbance, any noise if you can hear it from a public way,” Price said. “You could serve a citation with this ordinance.” Magistrate Allen Argo said the biggest problem would be determining what is a nuisance. The sheriff would make that determination, according to Price. The problem arose due to a home on Tea Run Road that houses dozens of dogs. According to neighbors, the dogs bark all the time, not just at night. Foxworthy wants the problem addressed before some one is harmed by the dogs. “We don’t want it to take one biting a kid before we do something,” he said. A copy of the ordinance was given to each magistrate; however changes were made before the final draft. No vote was taken on the matter, but it will be reviewed in August when all magistrates are present. David DeAtley was absent from the meeting held July 8 at the courthouse. Alex Hamilton came before the court to discuss the condition of Little Ben Locust Road. He said the condition of the road has deteriorated to the point that it is dangerous to navigate. “I am not aware of a road worse that this one,” Hamilton said. He has driven around the county to find a worse road, he said. According to Hamilton 16 families live on the road that is frequently washed out by the creek. He said if would be difficult or impossible for fire trucks or ambulances to drive on the road in the case of an emergency. Foxworthy said he was aware of the condition of the road and that the County Road Supervisor was also aware. “We’re trying to maintain as best we can,” Foxworthy said. “We are not receiving enough money to pave or repave our roads.” The price to pave a road is $80,000 per mile, chip seal is $20,000 per mile. When money is received from the state road fund, Foxworthy said roads will be evaluated and the one that have the most families affected will be fixed first. County Clerk Jarrod Fritz said this year his office revenue was down $10,000 from last year. He attributes the drop in new car sales. |
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