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Speedway decision was off the track

Our civic leaders have done a great disservice to our county. Some commissioners claim it was a “quality of life” issue, it produced too much noise. Commissioner Hayes stated on television that”he was in that area the previous weekend and the noise was very loud. What Commissioner Hayes didn’t say was the noise he heard was from the drag strip across the street from the racetrack. The racetrack was not running that weekend. The noise this small group of people is complaining about is not gone. The drag strip continues to operate. Their vote has hurt several larger groups, not only the fans and racers who have lost one of the few entertainment venues this area has and the county businesses that would have benefitted from the money they would have spent. The taxpayers of this county will not only have to make up revenue lost from this, but will also have to pay the legal costs sure to follow. The present owners and the prospective owner will surely sue the county. Personally, I don’t see how they can lose. The Planning Commission recommended that the commission approve this issue, so there are no safety, health or environmental issues the commission can use as an excuse. I just don’t see how they can convince a court that although there is a operating drag strip on the south side of the street producing the same noise levels, the racetrack can’t operate. How long will the voters of this county tolerate such ridiculous antics from our elected leaders?

JAMES SIMONS
Albany

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