Noise Ordinance Veto Upheld By Canton Leaders

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CANTON, GA -- The Canton City Council on Thursday upheld a veto issued by Mayor Gene Hobgood of amendments to the city's noise ordinance.

The Council initially voted at its March 17 to approve the ordinance, which, among other things, would have prohibited work from taking place on Sunday and city-sanctioned holidays.

Hobgood vetoed the ordinance March 24, and the item was brought back for consideration at the April 7 special called meeting.

The city recognizes 10 holidays throughout any given calendar year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Hobgood said he understand that the intent is to crack down on noise to preserve the quality of life for citizens. However, the mayor said he believes it should be up to residents and businesses to choose which holidays they can and should work or rest on.

For example, Hobgood noted that many companies do not recognize the day after Thanksgiving as a holiday.

"It seems to be unconstitutional to me," he said of the city's requirement that companies comply with the city's holiday schedule.

Hobgood also said he checked with the cities of Ball Ground and Holly Springs as well as Cherokee County, and those governmental entities do not ban work on holidays. Cherokee County, he added, even allows work to take place on Sunday during specific hours.

City Manager Billy Peppers said the inclusion of those holidays was done because if a company were to submit a request for an inspector to come out and oversee a task during those days, no one would be available if that request were to fall on a city holiday.

City Council member Farris Yawn said while he would be in favor of implementing the restrictions on city-recognized holidays, he noted leaving that part out would not be a deal breaker for him.

Peppers said a new ordinance will be brought back for the council to consider at its May 5 work session for a public hearing and a consideration for a vote at its May 19 meeting.

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