A Citizen's Letter to the Man

On Wed, 25 May 2005 18:12:54 -0700 (PDT)Kevin Ruppert wrote: Dear Mayor Mitman,
Please see attached letter published in the Express-Times 5/26/05 on the topic of noise pollution. I have spoken to Ms Hefley, Ms. Volcano, and Officer Lagathe regarding an engine breaking ordinance for the city. They all were helpful but the city seems to be under the impression that this is impossible according to state regs. I would like to refer your Honor to an article in the Morning Call; March 11, 2005 entitled "Braking Signs Target Excess Noise". I have included the link below. It is a column on Lehigh Valley roads and Rte 512 in Bath. The writer explains what engine breaking is; Bath was able to get a No Engine Braking Zone. This is done by making an application for reconsideration under 1 PA Code sec.35.241 of PA Code sec.179.10.Paragraph 20. I know that truck noise is a major complaint in the city and I hope the city will apply for reconsideration. This kind of quality of life enhancing ordinance lets all the districts gain and at no cost. Larry Holmes Drive, Bushkill St and Snyder St are flat; there is no need to use the brake retarder if trucks are observing the 25mph speed limit. I'm sure there are areas, especially in south side, that suffer from the same truck noise and would benefit from a noise reduction ordnance. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance to the city in this matter.
Best regards,
Kevin Ruppert
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/all-b5_5warrior0311mar11,0,4822286.story?coll=all-newslocalallentown-hed

Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 14:08:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: "kevin ruppert" <kjruppert@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Toll Bridge noise pollution
To: "Kenya Zimmerman - Mayors Secretary" <kzimmerman@easton-pa.gov>

Mr. Mayor, I assume you do not find any merit in my idea for noise abatement, I have heard back from Rep. Dent and State Sen. Wonderling. I assure you I intend to pursue this matter and I hope the city will become a more peaceful place, for instance the owner of the Piano Loft on Spring Garden and Fourth can not record performances there  because of "street noise" the quotations are mine the words from his interview in the E-T (Express- Times) Enjoy section. Also there is the Project Blue Gallery, Maria is very concerned and told me she “can’t even open her windows" because of the excessive noise. Again Mr. Mayor I ask that you look into making an application for reconsideration in order to create an ordinance banning engine retarders where appropriate. Traffic volume has increased exponentially over the past 5 years and the city is the loser. Making the Hundred of truck trips through the downtown area more quiet is necessary, and it's time has come.