What constitutes a good neighbour?
For a number of years I have semi-jokingly said it is someone that doesn’t exist.
Everybody wants to have a neighbour like Barney Rubble from The Flintstones or Wilson from Home Improvement that you can turn to when times get rough, but for the most part I would be happy if I just didn’t know they existed.
When I get home from a hard day’s work and close the door of my castle I don’t want to hear their loud music or have their vehicles block my driveway, etc.
Now don’t get me wrong, I understand that noise travels and despite the best intentions the outside world will intrude into my inner sanctum and I understand that.
However, by and large, when I enter my home to do whatever I am going to be doing for the evening, I expect that the activities of those who live around will not intrude into my life.
Actually that is basically my philosophy in my life. People have the right to do anything they want as long as it doesn’t negatively impact others and I may be wrong, but I believe the large majority of people have similar philosophies.
That is why I was surprised to hear people object to Woodlands County’s proposed Community Standards bylaw. The bylaw, if approved, would give the county’s peace officers an additional tool when dealing with complaints about unsightly properties, improperly stored vehicles, noise, major events, excavation and littering. Violators of the bylaw, depending on the offence, could face fines between $100 and $500 for a first offence.
Out of the people who commented on the bylaw in the Fort Assiniboine open house, it was about an equal split for and against.
One person who was against the bylaw in particular stated that she was against the bylaw because of the excessive noise clause.
They were concerned by instituting a quiet time (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) the county could be jeopardizing tourism, most notably, people coming to the hamlet to participate in baseball tournaments. While I agree attracting tourists to the area should be a goal, especially given the current economic climate, I am not sure that instituting a quiet time would be jeopardizing tourism. The owner of the Woodlands RV Park &River Marina, Allan O’Brien, who depends on tourism for his livelihood has instituted his own quiet time. So has any other campground or motel/hotel I have ever stayed at.
Another person who agreed said everyone was young once and people and the county needed to chill out, adding if noise bothered them so much they should move into a retirement home.
Speaking as one who would rather not hear the drunken partying from a ball tournament, I say, I would if I could.
Unfortunately, although I have been practicing to become a grumpy old man, I don’t quite qualify for the old age home yet.
So until I do, I say to all the loud youngsters, stay off my lawn and turn down your newfangled rock and roll music.
