I”ve been biting my tongue for a couple of days after reading Ms. Smith”s letter regarding “Noise In Lakeport.”
I speak for myself, but I bet the majority of Lakeport”s residents and others in Lake County may share the same thoughts. We are proud of our county and especially the lake, in spite of issues we have now and then. We welcome tourists; you are essential to our economy and from my experience are respectfully treated by merchants and residents alike.
Apparently your sheltered life in Benicia, virtually next door to the refineries, with all it”s strict noise ordinances has sheltered you from a part of the real world. Not only do we go out of our way to share our lake with you, we also strive to provide other entertainment.
We have pro fishing tournaments almost weekly, catching our fish and churning up our waters with their 200 horsepower motors all capable of doing 50 mph or more. Can you imagine hearing the noise of those boats all through the day, especially at day break when they blast their air horn signaling all the boats to start out at one time, under full-power. I”d say this was a race of sorts and is welcomed by our residents. Until recently, we had weekly outside concerts at Konocti Harbor. People came from all over to participate in the fun and noise generated at this venue. Trust me, the music can be heard all over the lake. Imagine if you were camped downwind from that. Sadly, we no longer have this noise to share with you. Those poor people who used to spend good money to travel here, stay at our lodgings and pay to enjoy this noise is no longer. Oddly, our towns, city and county leaders and residents all miss the opportunity to have this noise and share it with those who visit us.
What about the fly-in every year where dozens of sea planes converge on our lake? Can you imagine the noise and chaos this brings over the air and water? This is something else supported by our officials and residents for you; our tourists. Seems like everything we do to encourage tourists involves some sort of noise. Last time I looked, we weren”t miles out in the forest where you could hear a pin drop, but I don”t think that”s what our lake is about.
Now, those horrible races. Maybe we don”t necessarily promote this family activity as part of the Lake function, never the less, all are welcome to be a part of it. Believe it or not, the races are supported in the same fashion as the other activities that take place here and people actually drive many miles each week to put on a race and to spectate the same. Can you imagine that, traveling miles and spending hard-earned money to hear noise? The racetrack has been in operation throughout the summer months for years. I know I attended races here in the ”70s. For many years, until recently, it was operated by the same family. The new ownership has carried on the same dedication of providing exciting family entertainment at an affordable price. In fact, I bet a family of four can be a part of a full evening”s worth of excitement for half the cost of the dinner you had so rudely interrupted. This track, like others in California, is operated under strict noise requirements and curfew hours. The management promotes various community causes and fundraisers during the season. It provides family seating areas and disability access. It fills the stands almost weekly, and if you”re not familiar with racing, it is a real family sport. In fact, it has the largest weekly attendance of all sports. It”s too bad this kind of activity doesn”t fit your standards. The stands full of spectators apologize for that.
I would suggest that before you travel anywhere next time you might go to your computer and find out what may be going on in the area you”re heading to before you start. We don”t want any surprises, do we? The race track is actually on the city”s Web site as one of our activities. When you come here, we share our community with you. If the things we do aren”t up to your standards next time, stay home. To have a schedule of events posted outside the city limits to view before you get here is ridiculous. Your letter to the editor was your right , but it was selfish and insulting.
Jerry Buller
Clearlake Oaks
