To the editor:
Re: "Pubic disorder in Gastown on the increase, says VPD," Sept. 21.
I, for one, agree with all the bylaws as they have evolved from public complaints to mayors and city councils.
They are not ridiculous, nor are they oppressive. What is oppressive, though, is the excessive volume that comes from establishments that serve alcohol. What is ridiculous are the drunken vomiting from exiting patrons who cause disturbances that bring in the VPD. What is alarming are the bar owners and managers who know and exploit the reasoning that excessive volume sells drinks.
The noise bylaws evolved from hundreds of noise complaints from Vancouverites who want some sort of quiet when they want to sleep. It is no fun to be noise polluted by the subsonic bass that always migrates in every direction from clubs, pubs and live music venues. Stanley Park in the summer often contains functions that are excessively loud and disturbing. I do not have a good time around excessive noise.
Bylaws are for the protection of the people who live and work in the city and I support them. Please don't tell me to move to the country. It is as loud and noisy as any city because people think that living in the country entitles them to make any kind of noise at any time of the day and night.
We are going to be facing deafness in record numbers from youth who refuse to understand that excessive volume destroys hearing. Noise pollution is everywhere yet no green party will offer information or solutions to this pollution the same way that air and water pollution are considered.
When fun means excessive volume, when fun means loss of your ability to hear, when fun means disturbing your neighbours ability to have some quality of life, some moments of tranquility-then I have to speak up.
It is not fun! Danny Kostyshin, Vancouver
