Tuesday, October 9, 2012

On Flying Cars And Domed Cities

I remember as a child seeing artists interpretations of future cities covered with domes and people driving around in flying cars. Excitedly, my cousins and I showed these to our grandfather who grumbled something about doing things just because you can not being very smart.

Of course Grandpa was right but as kids we just couldn't see it. A domed city would mean the environment was already ruined to the point that we could no longer live without the dome but the dome would be completely incompatible with the flying cars as it would need to be opened and closed many times per minute to allow for traffic in a city the size of Greensboro. Each time it's opened the toxic air rushes back in. And for those of you who worry about living in the path of the airport: just imagine the average soccer mom, cell phone in hand or drunken Mebane politician piloting her flying car full of screaming kids over your home and tell me you still think flying cars are a good idea.

I mean, seriously, remember when Robme Perkins, Milton Kern, Roy Carroll and the rest of the DGI downtown development crowd thought turning downtown into an alcohol fueled economy was a good idea just because they could. I tried to warn Greensboro then but they told people I was crazy, called me a "naysayer" and dismissed everything myself and others warned them about. Now we have drive-by shootings in downtown Greensboro.

This year, Roy, Robme and Milton attempted to close down those same clubs they lured downtown. Here's some of their e-mails:


"From: Clark, Jim (Legal)
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 3:19 PM
To: Peterson-Buie, Becky
Subject: Draft Noise Ordinance amendment and Agenda Item
Jo,
Attached is the draft noise ordinance amendment and an agenda item.
Mayor Perkins requested a text amendment regulating amplified noise from entertainment businesses.
The intent is to prevent any amplified noise from emanating outside the building or structure where the
entertainment is happening. This is based on a complaint from Roy Carroll and others living near the
Greene Street Bar due to its roof-top late night events.
The requested text amendment was a blanket prohibition on any amplified noise, I think from 11 pm to
7 am. Please review this as soon as possible today – Mike Speedling has requested this be sent over
to him and Betsey no later than 5 pm today so it can go on the next CC agenda. I’m not 100% sure
it’s worded right…this was something of a quick-draw for me, since I just found out about 3 ½ hours
ago. I tried to turn it over as fast as possible so you could look at it beforehand. I’m reluctant to send
it out until I hear from you.
Please advise. Thanks!
Jim
James A. "Jim" Clark
Police Attorney
From: Robbie Perkins [mailto:RPerkins@naipt.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 03:46 PM
To: Turner Roth, Denise; Speedling, Michael
Cc: Ed (Downtown Greensboro Inc); Zack Matheny
Subject: Outdoor Amplification in CBD
This has become a constant source of complaints over the last
few
weeks after Greene Street opened it's rooftop tent. Is it possible
to
put a 12:00 limit on the outdoor amplification? Defining
reasonable and
using noise meters seems to be difficult to enforce. Is this
something
that can be addressed through existing ordinances or do we need
Council
action at our January 17th meeting?
Sent from my iPad
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 12:33 AM
To: James, Brian L.
<aleonard@thecarrollcompanies.com>; Perkins, Robbie; Speedling, Michael
Subject: Greene Street Noise
After getting the responding officers to my unit, it is my understanding that Lt. Holder and the
responding officers are going to cite the Greene Street Club. This was only after I had to prove that
you could not carry on a normal conversation over the noise. I do not think that Center Pointe and
other downtown residents should have to make 2 calls into 911, have 2 conversations with a GPD
Lt. and have 3 officers visit their home at 12:15 in the morning before the noise ordinance is finally
enforced.
I suggest that we meet as soon as possible to again discuss the enforcement of the Greensboro
Noise Ordinance.
Roy E. Carroll II
The Carroll Companies.com
P.O. Box 9846
Greensboro, NC 27429-0846
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 10:38 AM
To: Roy Carroll <rcarroll@thecarrollcompanies.com>; James, Brian L.
Subject: Re: Greene Street Noise
Roy - and others, I would like to mention I am troubled by this also, as I believe I can verify this
timeline. There was a slight decrease in the sound after 11:45 or so, and I am guessing that may be
around the time when the officers issued the warning. Approximately 15 minutes later, we hear not
only the music turned back up, but the outdoor crowd is yelling and singing loud enough for us to hear
it. At this point, we called 911 and were told officers were already there looking into the problem. I
cannot tell you the number of times I texted the club's manager, Grady Green, over the past year
asking him to turn the music down, to which he always replies, "Yes, ma'am" - only to have the music
either not decreased whatsoever, or have it back up 10 minutes later. It is just not appropriate for
someone to operate what is essentially a full outdoor disco with amplified sound 4 nights a week until
2:30 am with residents nearby trying to get some sleep - and I know 220 West Market Street residents
are undergoing the same problem with this. This is going on 2 years. They have had enough
warnings.
Also - On Sunday nights, we routinely have to withstand sound levels even louder than last night's
level - until 2:30 am when they finally turn the music off. I have a number of recent videos of both the
music as well as the sound meter readings, time-stamped by my iPhone, which I will forward if
needed.
Thanks for your attention on this, Theresa Yon
From: Roy Carroll
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 12:07 AM
Subject: Greene Street Noise
Captain James
I’m very troubled that I just received a call from Lt. Holder with the GPD who responded to the
noise coming from the Greene Street Club. Officer Lt. Holder informed me that the Greene Street
Club received, yet again, another warning from the GPD. When are the warnings coming to turn
into fines as we discussed the week before last. This is not acceptable when my decimal meter is
reading 75 to 80 decimals.
Lt. Holder also informed me that the responding officers did not have decimal readers with them,
furthermore the decimals meters the GPD has are not calibrated.
The noise was turned down, but now has been turned back up. I’m calling 911 again.
Please call me tomorrow.
Roy E. Carroll II
The Carroll Companies.com
P.O. Box 9846
Greensboro, NC 27429-0846
From: Cranford, Joel T.
To: Barnes, Shon F
Subject: FW: Noise at greene st
Date: Monday, December 12, 2011 12:11:33 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: James, Brian L.
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 9:29 AM
To: Cranford, Joel T.; Sigmon, Renae
Subject: FW: Noise at greene st
-----Original Message-----
From: Hollis, Art H.
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 2:22 AM
To: James, Brian L.
Subject: Noise at greene st
We charged grady tonight for a noise ordinance violation. Roy carroll placed the call.
From: James, Brian L.
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2011 10:00 AM
To: Armstrong, James E.; Bitner, Michael C; Hollis, Art H.; Atkins, Jay M.; Cranford, Joel T.
Cc: Sigmon, Renae
Subject: Noise Complaints from Greene St. Bar
Importance: High
We received another complaint from the Greene St. Bar this past Sunday night sparked by the
activity on the Roof Top Bar. This was called in by a Center Pointe resident. If this occurs, please
make the appropriate charges for violation of the City’s noise ordinance, if they are not in
compliance.
If you receive a call, accommodations have been made for us to travel to one of the upper floors, if
necessary, to hear the noise first hand. If you or your officers needs to go to one of the upper
floors, contact the security person at the front lobby of Center Pointe and they will escort you up.
There is someone there 24 hours a day. Please also list the complainant as a witness on the
citation. Please relay this information to your squads. If you have any questions, please contact
me.
Brian L. James, Captain
Police Department - Central Patrol Divison
City of Greensboro
2602 S. Elm-Eugene St. Greensboro, N.C. 27406
From: "Zack Matheny" <zackmatheny@gmail.com>
To: "Robbie Efird" <efirdr@nesi.net>
Cc: <nfk@crlaw.com>, "Turner, Denise" <denise.turner@greensboronc.
gov>
Subject: Noise Ordinance
Date: Mon, Feb 13, 2012 5:44 pm
Robbie, I sent you an email earlier today on this matter.
Is there a compromise you are willing to come to?
Please, respond to this email or call my cell at 686-1336.
I will take a no-response or no-phone call that are you unwilling to
discuss this matter and therefore are not wiling to come to an agreeable
solution.
I hope this is not the case and I will hear from you in some fashion.
Zack Matheny
On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:40 AM, Robbie Efird <efirdr@nesi.net> wrote:
Zack,
I just found out yesterday that the council has added a noise ordinance
amendment proposal to tonight’s agenda. Unfortunately, I am traveling
on business and will not be able to attend and speak.
I am very concerned as our roof-top club is a significant portion of our
sales, and employees many people. In 2005 our architects worked
closely with the City Planning department to construct the multiple-level
outside venue. The project was always documented as an outdoor
entertainment club. In an effort to re-vitalize downtown, the city had
relaxed its enforcement of any existing noise curfews. We have had
very few noise complaints over the last 5 years. After each complaint,
we immediately responded.
Starting in November 2011, the GPD has been called more than 20
times (this provided by the Police Department). After visiting Roy
Carrol’s personal residence, and not hearing noise, the GPD did not
write a citation.
We currently have reduced the noise to levels that are not even heard
on the street outside the club.
After reviewing the language in the proposal, this will immediately have
a major impact on our business and the employees. I would ask that a
meeting should be considered for all affected parties, before an
ordinance as significant as this is activated. I have spoken with Ed
Wolverton with DGI about our major concerns, and the overall impact it
will have on the City of Greensboro. Young professionals that the city
is competing for appreciate and support a vibrant downtown. Thanks
for consideration,
Robbie Efird
President
Greene Street Entertainment, Inc.
From: Miller, Ken
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 9:38 AM
To: Clark, Jim (Legal); Speedling, Michael
Subject: Noise Ordinance
Jim/Mike,
A few more questions/edits. I still don’t understand the dates/times. It seems that on Friday, clubs
will have to tone back between 10pm and midnight.
Ken Miller
Chief of Police
City of Greensboro"


You see, they did things just because they could and when things went wrong they expected others to pay the price just because they could but doing something just because you can is immature and never reason enough. That is, unless you're still a child.

Now Robme continues his childish ways by calling all who don't let him have his way, Trolls. I don't know about you but I think we're beginning to establish a pattern.
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