Legislative

I recently had the "displeasure" of reading an article that was in the Green Bay WI Press Gazette. With our on going "noise ordinance" issues in Carefree AZ, I thought I'd pass this information on to all of you. The Press Gazette talks about the fact that the city’s Protection & Welfare Committee is working on an ordinance that would allow, loud-muffler tickets to be issued to motorcyclists and vehicle drivers alike, based on public complaints.

Currently, Green Bay police can issue a citation when "they" hear an overly loud muffler. As in many states, it is illegal to have a muffler in which the baffling has been removed in order to make it louder. The police can both listen to hear how loud it is, or simply slide their baton into the pipe to see if this is the case.

Today, Green Bay residents receive a fine along with a 10-day warning which requires them to show proof of having the muffler fixed or replaced, with a second offense initiating the vehicle to be towed.

Upon public complaint, under the new plan, police would only have to 'mail' the owner of the vehicle a ticket, based on that complaint. No examination would be necessary. This would then be similar to a WI state law in which school bus drivers can report drivers who fail to heed the stop sign and flashing lights.

Now, for the kicker. Following is information I personally received from a friend of mine in Waukesha WI. It comes from 3 articles to the editor they cut out and sent me

One was titled "Sounds of Spring Not Always Welcome" - This spoke of how that person now remembered why they hate spring so much. It went on to say that it was due to all those 'noisy motorcycles' coming out of storage. The writer asked why a vehicle designed for two occupants had to be louder than a bus designed for dozens. He ended by asking if anyone would step up to the plate and initiate legislation to regulate motorcycle noise, and that he'd had it right up to his ears.

Another was titled "Harley untouchable" - This writer starting out by referring to the "Sounds of Spring" article above, and the "obnoxious loud sounds of springtime and their beloved Harley Davidson's." He did mention that the above article did not single out HDs, but that they all know that this is where the majority of the noise comes from. He went on to say that he didn't believe that any legislator, from either of the two parties, would "dare mess with Wisconsin's hallowed Harley-Davidson Motor Co." He felt that surely there were laws already in place, but that perhaps they just weren't being enforced. He wasn't sure if motorcycle noise was worse than the equally annoying hyper-bass from car stereos and the people that insist on using them. He finished by saying, "Shame on the ones who are old enough to know better."

A Third titled "Noise Laws are Made to be Enforced" - This writer also referred to the first article and was baffled why sound levels of certain "made in Milwaukee" motorcycles were permitted to violate the local noise ordinances and state laws. He finished by asking law enforcement officials to ENFORCE Noise Ordinances!

All of this 'Noise' about 'Noise', shortly prior to Harley Davidson's 105th Anniversary celebration !!! Now, that ought to put those writers in a "tailspin"!!!

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