(Re: Noise bylaw allows 24/7 operations, Grand Forks Gazette, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2014)
Thank you Councillor Neil Krog for voting against bylaw amendment No. 1963 A-1.
Grand Forks has become quite a noisy city. When I first moved here in 2000 I was amazed at how quiet the city was, even when living fairly close to Central Ave. I moved away for five months in 2005, for work, and when I returned I found the city had sold prime real-estate along the riverfront for a super-mill right downtown.
I foresaw the consequences—added noise, traffic and pollution, the closure of the Midway mill and eventually the Grand Forks mill.
When I consulted politicians and planners from other communities, I was told that allowing industry right in the centre of a community was, to put it mildly, bad planning. I was so disgusted with the city that I ran for council. This gave me an opportunity to speak out on the issue. (Thankfully I didn’t win a seat—politics really isn’t my cup of tea.)
The sound of the city definitely changed that summer of 2005. In addition, City Park lost its ambiance. The backdrop behind the stage (concrete slab) for Music in the Park was no longer a row of happy houses along the other side of the river—but instead, industry—and noise competing with the music.
When I hear there is to be a change in the noise bylaw I cringe. Just open your windows at night and listen. Imagine living in Ruckle or near downtown with that sound ALL night. Sleep deprivation is bad for your health—so keep your windows shut.
I chose to live in Christina Lake away from industry and instead just suffer traffic noise.
Rosemary Phillips, Christina Lake