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No noise ordinance
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers when Clay County Commissioners voted two-toone not to adopt a noise ordinance at this time. Commissioners, who have received complaints from citizens living in the vicinity of Tri-County Racetrack, have been considering adopting a noise ordinance. Commissioners Hub Cheeks and Stephen "Doc" Sellers both voted against adopting a noise ordinance, while Commissioner Harry Jarrett voted in favor. Commissioner Jarrett made it clear that he was in favor of an ordinance that governed only noise that would be considered a "nuisance" and that affected the quality of life of citizens living in Clay County. Jarrett told those gathered at Thursday's commission meeting that, what he termed "ruckus noise" or loud disturbances after midnight, should not be allowed and that he believed an ordinance governing such noise would be appropriate for Clay County. Jarrett added that, in his view, people have a right to some type of recourse when their quality of life is affected by noise that is ruckus and between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. "I have tried to look at this issue from future point of view…noise will become more of an issue as the county grows," Jarrett told those in attendance Thursday. "I have yet to see any type of noise ordinance that would affect day to day activities… like construction or farming. I have talked with the Sheriff and they have had a few calls on noise issues…and I believe everyone has a right to recourse should something like this happen to them." Jarrett stressed that he was only in favor of an ordinance that would deal with ruckus noise between midnight and 6 a.m. Commissioners Cheeks and Sellers both said they felt that Clay County was not currently in need of a noise ordinance. Both gentlemen said that as a small community they felt that, at this time, an ordinance was not necessary. Cheeks said that he hoped that neighbors could simply work these issues out among themselves. Cheeks added that in the future a noise ordinance may need to be addressed by the commission, but currently he said he feels that, as a small community, folks can still be "neighborly" and try to work together to solve these problems. Before the vote, co-owner of Tri-County Racetrack Steve Morris, addressed some of the issues that have been raised by residents living in the vicinity of the racetrack. The main issue has been the late night racing, which residents close to the track have complained go too late into the night. Morris told commissioners that he and the track officials work very hard to make sure the races on Saturday nights do not go passed midnight. Morris did admit that on rare occasions due to weather delays the races have gone over, but out of 24 races this season, Morris said they have only gone past midnight on 3 occasions. Morris also stressed to commissioners that the racetrack is only open for part of the year and races are only held one night a week. In addition, Morris listed for the commissioners all the benefits the racetrack brings to the county including 31 local jobs and a lot of tourists on race weekends. Morris told commissioners that last weekend alone racers from 17 different states were in Clay County spending money. Morris continued to share with commissioners all Tri- County Racetrack is doing to help improve the environment at the track. Morris said they are requiring all cars to have mufflersthat meet or exceed Performance Racing Industry standards. Adjustments have been made to the PA system at the track and they have made adjustments to the racetrack to cut down on some of the noise in the turns.
He also assured commissioners that they are doing all that they can to make sure the races start at 7 p.m. sharp so they can be finished before midnight.
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