County Board rejects noise ordinance

<span>After an August hearing and a month to receive written testimony, the Randolph County Board of Commissioners has decided a county noise ordinance is unwarranted.</span>

<span>In a Oct. 22 news release, Board Chairman Marc Kiehna announced that the commissioners had decided to "reject" the creation of the ordinance based upon "significant opposition" to the proposed initiative.</span>

<span>"There was significant opposition to the creation of a sound ordinance in the county," Kiehna said in the release. "We took the time to hear from our citizens and the message was clear - they were not in favor of establishing regulations.</span>

<span>"At this time, we will not be voting for an ordinance to regulate excess sound and noise." </span>

<span>The topic had been discussed at length during a hearing at Southwestern Illinois College on Aug. 27, during which a petition was presented by Red Bud resident Dian Kiel that contained 760 signatures against the ordinance.</span>

<span>The release states that primary support for creation of the ordinance came from "members of a family who own property close to Red Bud Winery."</span>

<span>During the August hearing, the commissioners heard from Red Bud sisters Sandy Melliere and Elaine Krebel, who are both neighbors of the winery and have been the strongest proponents for the ordinance.</span>

<span>In previous appearances at County Board meetings, both have stated that the alleged loud noise from the winery has made their lives "a living hell."</span>

<span>"The is no respect for us who live there," Krebel said during her testimony. "It's all about money and it is a total double standard."</span>

<span>The release stated that "members of civic organizations, attorneys, and residents who live in the unincorporated areas have expressed opinions against the adoption of an ordinance."</span>

<span>Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker, who crafted some options of an ordinance on request of the County Board, said feels the board made an informed decision.</span>

<span>"It's their decision, I'm neither disappointed nor happy," he said. "I was just providing input. I understand their decision was based upon an outpouring of opposition.</span>

<span>"The citizens didn't feel there was a need for (a noise ordinance) and we move on."</span>

<span>During Friday's meeting of the County Board, Kiehna told the media in attendance that there weren't enough "parameters" in making the ordinance an action item on the budget to be voted on.</span>