Noise is a Nuisance

I got to thinking the other morning about our Noise Ordinance after reading Willie Howard's article this past Tuesday in the Post and wondered how that was proceeding. We have been talking about that issue forever and it was this Commission that finally took action. I have not managed to get to the task force meetings but it was reported they have a solution that will be presented on April 13.

In so many ways, our mindset here in Lake Worth, by the majority aged residents who just happen to be those of childbearing age or who have children at home, is that no one should get in their way of having fun, especially their children. Heaven forbid if you block their kids from having everything they desire--Jungle Jims, waterslides, theme parks plus stuff they never thought of before like Robosharks! Kids are totally spoiled today. Parents give them so much even when they can’t afford to do so and the parents are used to noisy kids. They have a tolerance for noise.

Coming up with an idea of an aquatic park is just part of that mindset—something for the kids or they take the other side of the argument--it will bring in lots of money to Lake Worth and if you are against that, you are irresponsible and belong in some other century. Hell with what anyone else might want, particularly the Seniors that make up 14.3% of the population. This younger generation(The ME Generation) is the same one that got involved with sub-prime mortgages and brought down our economy. They wanted it all especially if the other guy was paying for it.

This attitude rolls over to the noise in our downtown. You find the younger the resident, the more they tolerate loud noise…the louder the better they believe; they love LOUD. If you are a downtown merchant, then residents living around the surrounding area might just as well forget about any complaint. You won't get one little ounce of sympathy. They are not thinking about the other guy, only how it will affect their bottom line. They are not considering possible health or hearing loss later in life.

I find it embarrassing when some of our residents, especially those who are public figures, have no tolerance for anyone’s point of view when it differs from theirs. Someone has a complaint about noise and what do they do? They automatically discount the complaint to that of being a petty annoyance by some old guy who just happens to be from one of our Pioneer families and has lived here for 44 years. He is a resident that took action because NO one would listen after years of asking the City to do something. They shuffled him aside like yesterday's sack of old trash. You would think that he is the only one complaining about noise in our downtown.

Herman Robinson, a property owner of a downtown building and former merchant, said that he thought Bud Greene “won’t be satisfied,” implying that he is nothing but a whiner. One of the co-owner’s of The Cottage, the biggest offender and a main reason for this noise complaint, suggested that because he brings business into Lake Worth, and Mr. Greene does not, then loud noise wins out…his rights were more important than Mr. Greene’s. I admire Bud Greene’s perseverance in this matter. He is a fighter and won’t give up just because some merchants and their friends say that their business is more important than he and that he is old, declaring, “What does he matter?” And Andy, you are wrong about Mr. Greene. He simply wants a little respect late at night.

Let’s see what the Noise Task Force solutions are. Noise has gone on too long and residents have rights too. Noise can cause health problems and that is why the City of Lake Worth is taking steps to create a noise ordinance. This is NOT just about money in or for the City of Lake Worth. It is not what you want or what I want or what the downtown merchants want; it is about what is fair for all to be able to enjoy a quality of life.

An easy solution would be to unplug the amplifiers after 11pm during the week and midnight on Friday and Saturday at those establishments that have outside entertainment. That is a compromise...not telling Mr. Greene to wear ear plugs.