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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 21, 2003 A crowd watches an event at the Southern Oregon Speedway. Some people living in the vicinity say they want stronger penalties when Speedway curfews are exceeded. Neighborhood fu-roar Southern Oregon Speedway noise doesn’t please some residents, who say races can run too long By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Roaring dragsters and revving race cars are music to the ears of spectators at Southern Oregon Speedway, but they grate on the nerves of some nearby residents. "On a quiet, still summer night, that sound just goes and goes and goes," said Medford resident Jim Maddux. Even though he lives about three miles from the track, Maddux finds the noise obnoxious, particularly when Speedway officials fail to observe the 10 p.m. curfew. The speedway, which was rebuked by Jackson County two years ago for noise problems, received a $500 fine from the county for running the Northern Sprint Tour July 14 until 11 p.m. Advertisement Speedway officials responded that except for this incident, they have complied with the 10 p.m. noise curfews and blame the violation on the race promoters, who were in charge of that event. Maddux said, "Eleven p.m. on a weeknight is out of the question. Ten p.m. on a weeknight is when the races should end." He has complained in the past but thinks government agencies are passing the buck, ignoring state restrictions on noise. "The DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) doesn’t have the staffing or wherewithal to enforce and the sheriff doesn’t want to get into it," he said. A DEQ official said the department no longer has enforcement capability to handle noise violations. Jackson County sheriff’s Capt. Joe Puckett said officers will respond to noise complaints at the speedway, but that the department’s received very few. Enforcement of state and local laws at the speedway falls to Jackson County Parks, who holds the lease. Randy Hutton, parks administrative assistant, said the speedway has agreed to pay the $500 fine. The county leases the property to John Skinner Promotions, which operates the speedway. "During the weekdays they are supposed to shut off at 10 p.m.," he said. On weekends, the curfew is 11 p.m. However, a grace period of a half-hour is possible, usually requiring written notification. After a 2001 violation in which the Northern Sprint Tour continued until 12:30 a.m., Skinner Promotions agreed that a $500 fine would be appropriate for every half-hour that the speedway operates past the curfew. The speedway had more curfew violations in earlier years, which prompted complaints to the county. "One time they ran a jet car at midnight," Hutton said. Despite this latest violation, Hutton said the speedway appears to be making an effort to end races on time. But if problems were to continue, the county has the authority to limit activities. "If he’s flagrant and negligent about it, the county will take a close look at his racing schedule," he said. Speedway Business Manager Teresa Lowe said the organizer of the Northern Sprint Tour — Fred Brownfield Inc. — will get a bill for the $500 permit violation, and will get either a warning or another bill for violating a curfew agreement for the use of the track. Most races are run by speedway management, but this particular tour is run by the Fred Brownfield group, she said. If the tour exceeds the curfew next year, the speedway vows to take even greater measures. "We would have to turn off the lights at 10 and deal with all the fans and participants," she said. Because the number of participants sometimes make an event go longer, she said, "We will definitely reduce the car count next year." While the speedway receives verbal complaints from neighbors about its operation, Lowe said management is very aware that it can’t ignore the needs of the community. "We have tried to appease neighbors’ concerns," she said. "We really are trying to benefit the Rogue Valley." Since 2001, Lowe said, the speedway has started earlier, reduced the number of races at night and the number of cars in events from about 135 then to about 90 now. Most shows, even on Saturday nights, conclude at 9:30 or 10 p.m., said Lowe. "Our track officials have strived to enforce the curfews," she said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? 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