I'm going to defer to the experts and steer you towards Quest for Quiet for full coverage of the vote and what it means for poorly regulated amplified speech in your neighborhood.
Here's an email recently sent out by the man behind the blog, David Klavitter--
We're being told that Councilmembers Kwame Brown and Yvette Alexander
have changed their vote and will today be voting in favor of the
Evans' amendment. This raises the dB level from 70 to 80, restricts
the limit to R-1 through R-4 zones, and changes the requirement for
measurement to inside the home.
Basically, this offers zero protection for our downtown friends and
allows the noise of a freight train inside a residential living room.
A hollow victory at best.
Tommy Wells is working with Mary Cheh to see if anything can be done,
but it doesn't look good at this stage. In the meantime, let Kwame
Brown know he should be representing D.C. residents--not special
interests:
STEP #1: CONTACT D.C. At-Large Councilmember Kwame Brown
email: kbrown@dccouncil.us
STEP #2: THE MESSAGE:
Dear Councilmember Brown:
Please protect my rights to quietly enjoy my home in the District of
Columbia. Please SUPPORT the "Noise Control Protection Amendment Act
of 2007 (B17-0177)," now pending before the D.C. City Council.
Nobody should have the right to force loud noise--no matter the
content--into anyone's private space.
Please also ensure the health and safety of all residents, who are
defenseless against loud decibels of noise. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, such exposure can harm hearing,
increase stress and contribute to long-term negative health effects.
The bill only limits the volume of amplifiers—not the natural voice,
which would remain exempt from any decibel limits. This maintains
Washington, D.C., as one of the most liberal and permissive
jurisdictions in the country.
Your support will help ensure all D.C. residents have the right to
quiet enjoyment. Thank you and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
D.C. Resident and Voter
Address
So now those of you who support this bill have no excuse not to take a little action and send in an email. Best of luck guys!
3 comments:
The District of Columbia City Council Tuesday passed a gutted noise bill.
Which totally is fine for those that enjoy the sound of freight trains in the bedroom.
Thanks to all our friends at Frozen Tropics for following this issue.
Learn more here.
My understanding is that it was Harry Thomas, the council member for Ward 5 (your rep, those of you north of Florida Avenue), who gutted the bill. That right?
Maybe it's worth making your frustrations known to him come the next election.
Or at least setting up outside his house with the megaphones next.
Kwame Brown (member-at large) is no friend to H street NE. In an election year be buckeled under the pressure from unions. Let's show him what his poor choices bring this year with a vote against KB.
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