Playing Dirty

The Mountaineer ran a lengthy article about the earthshaking, ear splitting, heart stopping noise problem we're experiencing from the old Fairgrounds. It discussed the issue from different perspectives including residents, vendor (Asheville Music Hall), and county officials. What it couldn't describe is the deception we residents were met with after we addressed the Board of Commissioners.

In order to speak at a Commissioners meeting, you are required to "sign in" 15 minutes early. We all did. You provide your name, address and any material you wish the Commissioners to review. Otherwise, you are not permitted to speak. When all speakers had finished, to our surprise, Chairman Ensley asked of the audience "would anyone else like to address the board?" An open invitation, no sign in required. What did we see? A little movement there from Tommy Long towards the right? Is he pointing to someone in the back that wants to speak? Could Commissioner Long have anticipated these speakers, or Chairman Ensley? Is that why he opened up discussion? It was as if they knew we were coming to speak against the noise and arranged to have the next speakers ready and waiting to offer rebuttals. We were not on the agenda.

Listen for yourself @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI6sH9kQeWA

skip ahead to about 1:02 for Noise discussions

The random Brad from Regina Park approaches the podium. Brad just “happened to be attending” a Board of Commissioners meeting on a Monday night, just for the heck of it, right? And Brad states he "fairly enjoyed" the concerts. And thanks the Board for permitting them. And we are to believe this is all "just coincidence?" Oh, wait there's another speaker.

The owner of Asheville Music Hall, Brian Good, just "happens" to be attending this meeting too? A single Dad with kids at home hungry, late on a Monday night? Really? Now, let's consider what Mr. Good states....He "laid off 35 employees." And "25 independent contractors." And "every one of his employees went on unemployment, food stamps" etc. Well it is highly probable that those employees did very well on unemployment as is the case all over the country. But, then Mr. Good contradicts himself when he says "I have to take care of my staff." So did you or did you not "lay them off?" Because now you are employing 50 people per show? And you can't be doing so poorly if you can afford those spaceship sized speakers sitting just yards from our homes blasting our pictures off the walls. What you forgot to consider is the community surrounding the venue you considered "such a good fit." We live too close to it. Other counties require businesses like yours to address the communities prior to holding such events and also to have ANSI rated sound technology, and location testing for noise pollution prior to holding events. You gave us no thought or consideration. And you claim "every single gas station and hotel has called you" and thanked you for "being full." It's amazing you had time to come to the meeting with all those phone calls. And if you think you may have exaggerated that just a bit, it's ok, we will look into it. As far as your claim to be bringing revenue to the county, there is no statistical way to measure that. You are only assuming it so and so are the County Commissioners. It is entirely possible that most of the people that attend your concerts drive in and go home. Sure some may be from out of town, but they may be here for other reasons also. People come here for the change of colors, to hike, the Apple Festival, for so many reasons, you cannot in all fairness take credit for doing much of anything for Haywood County other than providing a place for people to attend very loud and disruptive concerts. We, on the other hand are here in Haywood County, year round, contributing substantially on a DAILY basis to revenues and taxes. As if we haven't been surprised enough. There is one more speaker...

Chris Caldwell, Manager of the Event Ctr just "happens to be there" also? And Chris states "1000 - 1500 people are staying in motels and eating in restaurants" because of these concerts. That's a lot of people, are you sure Chris? And that isn't a big enough generalization, Chris continues by stating he was "in front of every single one of these houses. It wasn't other people sneaking in. It's me in front of their house." And Chris claims in front of EACH house he measured decibels to be 65-71 dB. How many houses is that? And how could he have done that during a concert when he also states he is on the grounds the entire time? Brian Good stated he wants to be "good stewards to Haywood County." Well, we residents would like you to also. We ask you to take the traveling earthquake far away from any urban areas, or find a drive in football stadium. We want it out of our backyards.