Noise Ordinance (fwd)

[Lorraine Pozzi]

FYI.  The Mayor is apparently meeting with Council members
and will make a final decision on whether to veto the amended
ordinance in "a few days."  The Mayor's phone # is 684-4000.
His e-mail address in on the attached letter.

LP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:30:35 -0700
From: Mayors Office <Mayors.Office at ci.seattle.wa.us>
To: femme2 at scn.org
Subject: Re: Noise Ordinance

Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts about proposed revisions to the City's Noise Ordinance.

I have received many letters and e-mails expressing interest in revisions to the Noise Control Ordinance.  I strongly believe in the need for continued noise control regulation.  I introduced the original revisions to the Noise Control Ordinance earlier this year.  Since then, however, the City Council has made several significant changes, most of which occurred Monday, October 11 at the full Council meeting.

In an effort to make my concerns clear about their proposed changes, I sent the Council a letter on Monday outlining two major concerns:  1) their attempts to restrict how, when, and where lawful picketing, marches, and rallies can occur; and 2) the lack of a first warning for commercial establishments.  After finding that the Council had addressed neither of these concerns fully, I am prepared to veto the ordinance. 

As Seattle grows, we must be very careful to ensure our city remains a livable one¯despite the increased density and its concomitant issues, such as noise.

But to be a livable city also means people must be free to express their opinions.  In a city preparing for a major international summit on issues about which opinions vary significantly, we must not squelch opportunities for civil expression.

Similarly, in a city where music has helped to define us, and has contributed so much to our cultural landscape, we must ensure that it continues to thrive as an art form.  The Council's ordinance will give music venues and other commercial establishments no warnings if they exceed noise levels.  This is not acceptable.

I am awaiting a letter from Council with proposed changes to the ordinance they passed this week.  If they are unable to find suitable language to address these concerns, I am prepared to veto the legislation.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

Very truly yours,

Paul Schell

<snip>  (portion of original letter follows)
Peace, quiet and civility are important.  The potential
abuses in the way this ordinance has been modified almost
guarantee, however, that it will instead lead to abuses 
that will create major disturbances.  Labor groups, civil
rights groups, homeless groups and all people of color 
will feel that their rights have been violated by the
issuance of tickets without warning and the fines that will
be onerous if not impossible to pay.

This is NOT the route to a civil community.

Lorraine Pozzi
femme2 at scn.org 





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