Posted: April 8, 2012 - 12:16am
By LEWIS LIVINGSTON
St. Augustine
Editor: In their efforts to sand smooth the rough surfaces of the Ancient City, City Commissioners have ousted singers and itinerant musicians from the streets surrounding the Historic District. Presumably the pressure for this social-cleansing came from business owners along and near St. George Street. So be it.
The irony, however, is that the same commissioners and business owners turn a deaf ear — and it surely is deaf by now — to the obscene racket made by the pseudo-tough guys, Outlaw wannabe riders of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. They hammer the calm of the Plaza across from the Cathedral. Assaulting the eardrums of all present, they batter the gentle hub-bub of the St. George-Hypolita intersection. If we cared about our visitors we would insist that charming part of the city would evoke a 17th-century quiet broken only by reenacted pirate raids. Haarrgh!
It will, of course, be argued that the Harley hordes leave bundles of cash in the old town. Perhaps. Ask rather, “How much do they drive away?” How many visitors, say, after having their eardrums violated, think, “Never again!” Let’s go to Savannah next year or Clearwater.
The City Commissioners might be surprised to learn that Harleys do not roll out of the factory with that fearsome macho growl. They are specially adapted at dealerships because motorcycle dealers are convinced Harley buyers want to prove — “Mine is bigger [or louder] than yours!”
St. Augustine surely has a noise ordinance. Likewise the obnoxious Harleys are almost certainly in violation. Let’s have police enforce it. The unhealthy, offensive racket of the post-factory-altered Harleys drives away many visitors who might stay another day or so.
So, Mr. or Ms. Business Owner what would you rather have out front, a hippie guitarist, an Irish tenor or a blasting Harley?
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