PENDER COUNTY — A brief-but-pointed exchange between some commissioners took place earlier this week as they discussed rescinding a recent noise ordinance addressing dirt bikes.
READ MORE: Pender commissioners vote to curb dirtbike noise
Pender commissioners have been grappling with the revised noise ordinance since late last year, following complaints from residents about excessive motorized sounds coming from Salty Acres Adventure Park in Rocky Point. The board previously passed an amendment to the noise ordinance on July 28 to prohibit noise from dirtbikes at 70 decibels or higher at all times. However, a subsequent wave of public opposition prompted them to reconsider the measure a few weeks later.
During their Aug. 4 meeting, commissioners voted to waive meeting rules to add a motion to rescind the noise ordinance amendments during the session. While the initial vote passed 4-1 — Commissioner Jerry Groves dissenting — the lack of a unanimous vote required the item to be brought back for a second go round to become effective. That happened Aug. 18.
The board took a procedural vote to formally repeal the amendments and pivot to a new strategy that also focused on gaining citizen input. The board voted 4-1 with Groves dissenting once again, saying the amendments were long overdue. He said he faced noise complaint calls consistently through his 15-year career as a Pender County police officer.
“This is a countywide problem,” he said, noting continued support for the amended ordinance to limit dirtbike noise.
Groves also took issue with the board’s backtracking: “We’ve already been talking about it for two-and-a-half years and we have a solution, but everybody got scared and backed up.”
Chair Randy Burton responded that future committee and town hall meetings would be a “productive effort to get some citizen involvement.”
“I do not think it’ll take as long as you think, we could have a meeting and get these committee folks together, let them have a little skin in the game, a little input, then bring this back before the board to tweak the policy.”
Burton added, however, that Groves’ “point [was] well taken.”
Commissioner Jimmy Tate interjected: “The point is not well taken with me.”
Tate was displeased by Groves’ implication the board didn’t have the political will to stick to their original measure.
“I mean, someone used the word ‘scared,’” Tate said. “Call me scared if you want; I call it listening to the voters.”
Burton cut in to defuse the situation, saying enough discussion had been had on the matter. Tate took issue with it, too, and continued his response:
“It’s that kind of stuff that stops us from getting water and sewer, rent, infrastructure, moving this county forward — because it’s those kind of comments to try to make one commissioner look bad and another one trying to make themselves look like a saint while demonizing everyone else. I’m trying to be respectful, but I’m not doing anything for a vote … I’ve never said I was running again. I may, but I never said it.”
With the amendments overturned, attention now turns to the formation of a citizen-led committee to provide input on the noise ordinance, which Tate previously suggested.
Commissioner Brent Springer inquired about the progress for establishing the committee. Interim county manager Meg Blue said the county is working to set up town halls and committee meetings. She noted two or three people already have been recommended for appointment to the committee.
Tate proposed an operational structure for the citizen-led committee, suggesting each commissioner appoint three representatives from their district and three at-large members.
Blue indicated the county would advertise the opportunity, maintaining a running list of interested citizens and continuing to allow applications until the next meeting on Sept. 2. Tate also raised the idea of appointing a neutral mediator to facilitate “respectful dialogue” during the committee meetings.
Looking ahead, commissioners are tasked with selecting their citizen representatives for the committee, with appointments slated for consideration at the next board meeting. Dates for town hall meetings on the ordinance are yet to be determined.
Have tips or suggestions for Charlie Fossen? Email charlie@localdailymedia.com
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