Wednesday, May 16, 2001
|
Wednesday, May 16, 2001 |
|
Neighbors lose 1st round in fight against Fayette 4-H shotgun range By DAVE HAMRICK
Dan Bates says he is not ready to give up his fight to stop Fayette 4-H members from shooting shotguns near his home. "This was a bad day for peace-loving citizens of Fayette County," Bates said last week after the County Commission turned down his request to beef up noise ordinances to stop the shooting. Does that mean legal action is next? "It has been discussed," said Bates. But he wouldn't give any details, saying he doesn't want to tip his hand. The 4-H Club, sponsored by the County Extension Service, provides a variety of activities for youths in rural areas, including a shooting competition and safety program. In previous years, the county has allowed use of its law enforcement shooting range near McCurry Park for the club's activities, but in October 1999 commissioners informed the group they would have to find a new location because of the buildup of residential growth and recreation activities around the site. "It took us a year and a half to find a new spot," said Extension Service director Sheldon Hammond. That new spot is on the east side of Hwy. 85, across from its intersection with Jones Road, part of a parcel of more than 200 acres owned by the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority. Bates, who lives on Massengale Road, has filed complaints about the noise, and so have some of his neighbors. But the county marshal's office and County Attorney Bill McNally have ruled that the amount of noise coming from the range does not violate the noise ordinance. About 25 residents showed up to support Bates' appearance before the Board of Commissioners Thursday night. About 50 residents attended to voice their opposition to his stance. Bates said he supports the idea of a 4-H shooting program, but, "This is not a case of what this club is doing, but where they are doing it." He estimated that 1,000 rounds are fired Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when 4-H practices are conducted. "That's a conservative estimate," he said, adding, "Would anybody want that shooting to be going on" near their homes? In addition to practices, the club conducts shooting events like turkey shoots as fund-raisers. The competitive season is over now it runs through April to mid-May. Five fund-raising shoots are scheduled for the remainder of this year. Bates asked commissioners to revoke the club's permit to conduct shooting events. "If the ordinance doesn't allow that, then modify the ordinance," he said. Commissioners were unanimous in their rejection of that idea. "Somehow, I feel the benefits [of the 4-H program] outweigh the inconvenience," said Commissioner A.G. VanLandingham. "Less government is better government," said Commissioner Linda Wells, adding that she believes beneficial programs like school band and cheerleading squads practicing after school are just as noisy. "We can become overly restrictive, controlling everything we as citizens regard as an offense," she said. Commission Chairman Greg Dunn said he went to the homes of those concerned about the noise to see for himself how loud it is." I was straining at times to hear the shots," he said. "The noise of the traffic on 85 was obliterating the sound of the shotguns." "You can deer hunt on 10 acres," said Commissioner Herb Frady, pointing out that the 4-H range is on a site of more than 200 acres. Dan Dickinson, who attended the meeting to show his support of the 4-H program, said the key issue is freedom. Halting the shooting, he said, would be an example of "incremental government regulating more and more and more ... and that's just wrong. "If Mr. Bates' criteria applied, we wouldn't have anybody shooting anywhere in the county," he added. "I hope we're still friends," said VanLandingham to the crowd of residents supporting Bates. But as he said it, one woman in the rear of the crowd shook her head.
|
||