A total of 16 people spoke before county commissioners Tuesday night during a public hearing where they were asked to sound their thoughts on the issue.

Commissioners and Solicitor Don Tennant explained at the start of the hearing no such noise ordinance has yet to be formulated for Ohio County. The public hearing was intended to give county officials some idea as to whether residents wanted such a law, and what details it should entail.

The issue of extreme noise coming from modified ATVs riding in the Grimes Ridge Road area on the northeast corner of Ohio County was recently brought to county commissioners, along with a request for a county noise ordinance..

The first to speak at the public hearing was Wayne Haberfield, who said he first approached the commissioners more than six years ago about the back-up signals sounded by trucks at the Tunnel Ridge mine.

photo by: Photo by Joselyn King

Members of the public turn out for a public hearing Tuesday night to express their thoughts on whether a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

He said he closes his windows and runs the air conditioners on nights it is not needed just so he is able to sleep.

“We’ve had nothing but noise since 2012, and the commission has done nothing about it,” Haberfield said.

Dr. Mathew Wood also spoke out in favor of having a noise ordinance, adding that noise pollution contributes to a multitude of health disorders.

“When I think of the phrase ‘Mountaineers are always free,’ we should be free – free from noise that obstructs our otherwise peaceful life,” he said.

Those living in the country currently do not have a voice or legal channel when it comes to protesting a noise disturbance, Wood added.

photo by: Photo by Joselyn King

Ohio County commissioners Don Nickerson, left, Zach Abraham and Commission President Randy Wharton prepare to listen to discuss Tuesday as members of the public expressed their thoughts on whether a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

“You’ve never heard anyone say I love living in the country because it is so noisy,” he said. “It is, in fact, quite the opposite.”

But Tim Elliott sees living in the country – even with noise – as a healthy lifestyle leading to strong families and an even stronger foundation for children.

“I guess I’m the one who probably started all this noise back in 1969,” he began. “My dad got a motorcycle, my mom got a motorcycle and I got a motorcycle. We would go for evening rides on the back country roads.”

Elliott added that he also took his muffler off his motorcycle, and was soon stopped by a police officer who told him he needed to reinstall it or face disturbing the peace charges.

Laws for maintaining a respectable noise level already exist, but should be enforced, he said.

photo by: Photo by Joselyn King

John Tominack speaks before Ohio County commissioners Tuesday night during public hearing Tuesday night. Participants spoke on whether or not a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

Elliott spoke of his grandchildren who grew up in the country riding motorcycles and had “a good, square start in life.”

Two of his grandchildren, Jenna and Makenna Medlen, also spoke out against the need for a noise ordinance.

“We live out here for a reason,” Makenna Medlen said. “The country makes us who we are.”

Others addressing the commission said the “noise level isn’t that bad” where they live.

Cody Tominack, an inspector for the Mine Safety And Health Administration, added a noise level might just give some residents with a vendetta against their neighbors an excuse to call out Ohio County deputies, who don’t have the time or manpower to bother with neighborhood disputes.

photo by: Photo by Joselyn King

Dr. Mathew Wood speaks before Ohio County commissioners Tuesday night during public hearing Tuesday night. Participants spoke on whether or not a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

Dogs that bark nonstop, and large trucks emitting large brake sounds also are a noise issue, with at least one person saying they even hear the West Liberty University band practicing at times where they live because sound travels in their area.

“It seems we’re divided down the middle,” Ohio County Commission President Randy Wharton said at the conclusion of the hearing.

He encouraged everyone to be open-minded as commissioners further deliberate the issue.

William Johnston speaks before Ohio County commissioners Tuesday night during public hearing Tuesday night. Participants spoke on whether or not a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

Alisha Medlen speaks before Ohio County commissioners Tuesday night during public hearing Tuesday night. Participants spoke on whether or not a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

Ohio County commissioners Don Nickerson, left, Zach Abraham and Commission President Randy Wharton prepare to listen to discussion Tuesday as members of the public expressed their thoughts in September on whether a noise ordinance is needed in the county.

Makenna Medlen speaks before Ohio County commissioners Tuesday night during public hearing Tuesday night. Participants spoke on whether or not a noise ordinance is needed in the county.