Noise

In the past couple of decades the anti-smoking lobbying group has made great strides in changing the attitude of our society towards smoking. It has been all for the better. People can still smoke if they wish. They just can’t do it in a place where others have to breathe the second-hand smoke.

The next frontier that needs to be tackled is noise. It seems as if some people feel it is their right to make as much noise as they wish. There are people in St. Marys who are inconsiderate when it comes to making a racket. And often they do it with the blessing of the Town.

In mid-July the Kinsmen club in town is going to have three days of a beer tent. Along with the tent will be bands playing until one in the morning. The best they can say is that the hope that the people in the neighbourhood will be understanding.

Guess what? I don’t understand.

I don’t understand why they want to deprive a whole neighbourhood of sleep for three days. If it was only for one, I could suck it up and put it behind me. It all starts on a Thursday and Friday is a workday.

I don’t understand why they are not using the air-conditioned arena. Our town has just spent 14 million on this facility. Why can’t they use this? Sure, it may not be a beer tent, but I don’t think it would hurt the sales that much and the Kinsmen wouldn’t be bothering anybody indoors.

One of my concerns is the message that this gives to the youth of our town. It says that it is OK to disrupt a neighbourhood until one in the morning without consideration of the people who live there. I could take it until eleven at night, but one in the morning is a bit much.

In past years, the music of the bands has gone for blocks. Underage drinkers have been seen partying on their front lawns. Way to go Kinsmen! You’re really doing a good job of promoting good values in our youth.

So what is the purpose of this beer tent? Well, it is one of their major fundraisers of the year. I’m sure it is and I’m sure the money is used for a few good things.

But I know that one of the main purposes of the people who go there is to drink beer excessively and hang out with friends, something that could be done indoors. Again, another example of promoting positive images for the youth within the community. It is OK to get plastered as long as the money is going to a good cause.

It seems as the wishes of the few, the majority who don’t live in the area, will be followed instead of those who want peace and quiet at night.

So, why not get some people involved to protest? I will test the waters with a few people, but many are afraid to stand up for their rights, which is another problem with our society.

Fortunately this year I won’t be in St. Marys for most of the beerfest.

Just like second-hand smoke, I don’t think I should be forced to listen to second-hand sound.