Here is a recent article on the issue including the "racist" comment by out going alderman Herman Coleman.
http://theeveningtimes.wordpress.com/201...-jeopardy/
theeveningtimes
Covering Crittenden County Five Days A Week
Noise ordinance puts historic racetrack in jeopardy
Councilman put racial undertones into agenda
By John Rech
johnrech58@yahoo.com
A special West Memphis City Council meeting regarding a noise curfew aimed at resolving the continuing issue one city councilman has with Riverside International Speedway in West Memphis was held Monday at City Hall.
The historic race track has run in the same location since 1949. Over the course of recent meetings, the City Council discussed a proposed ordinance that would require the track to close at 8 p.m. to limit noise from the facility.
The council heard testimony from the track owner and the manager. Lame duck Councilman Herman Coleman, who will be leaving office Dec. 31 after losing a re-election bid last month, is the driving force behind a curfew proposal to eliminate noise in his ward. Coleman moderated the meeting.
He repeatedly said during the meeting that his effort “wasn’t personal,” and that is was “about noise and sleep.”
Coleman’s comments after the meeting took an entirely different tone as he exited the conference room.
“The problem is that it’s a white man’s sport in a black man’s neighborhood,” muttered Coleman.
In the meeting, Mayor Bill Johnson indicated that race enthusiasts come from far and wide leaving a positive economic impact behind. “I have e-mails from people that say they come to West Memphis for the races from New Zealand, Australia, Nebraska and Colorado.” Riverside International Speedway Track owner Clay Allen underscored the increased revenue point. “Pancho’s has told us their receipts are up 50 percent on race nights,” said Allen. Speedway Manager Tommy Mullins recounted for Council the things they had already voluntarily done to be good neighbors.
“There have been five improvements made since I have been race director to become the best neighbors we can be,” said Mullins. “The first thing is we eliminated time trials and a classification to have more entertainment in a shorter period of time. We now start as early as weather permits but heat effects the track and the spectators sometimes. We updated rules like driver conduct to avoid delays. All employees work to eliminate delays from the concessionaires to the race stewards. We’ve added mufflers and changed the direction of our speakers to address noise concerns.”
He said track conditions become optimum after the heat of the day.
“The 8:00 curfew, the earlier times, put us out of businesses,” said Allen. Races normally start at 7 p.m.”
City Councilors weighed in with their opinions.
Councilman Tracy Catt indicated that track owner Clay Allen was a conscientious corporate citizen.
“Mr. Allen purchased the facility for $480,000,” said Catt. “He has invested another $320,000 in improvements. That’s $800,000 altogether. He has required mufflers, put restrictions on drivers, accidents and time limits for races. He has tried to make the facility as friendly as possible. Hampton Inn holds the track as a part of their recognition program. I’d like to see this business to grow and prosper. We continue to ask businesses to invest, but I think its time the city invest in some landscaping, some red tips, to mitigate the noise. Let’s look at the ‘greenprint’ initiative and make a dirt track racing museum there.”
Councilman James Holt said he has heard from constituents.
“I’ve had some calls,” said Holt. “The roller rink has been shutdown. We don’t have much else for kids’ entertainment. This track was built in 1949. It’s on an historical list. It ought not be shutdown.”
Councilman Willis Mondy has experienced the noise.
“I live in the 500 block. You can come to my house and sit in the living room with the TV on and you’ll hear the track. The older I get, the more I notice it — maybe because I’m not out running around late so much anymore.” he said.
“Let me be honestly clear,” said Coleman. “This is not personal. It’s about property values and noise. I’m afraid people aren’t investing in homes because of the noise. That is the only problem.”
Councilor Lorraine Robinson said, “I guess I don’t notice the racing noise where I’m at. Sometimes Southland will have a big outdoor event that I hear in my house. Isn’t that part of being in a city? It’s a race track. There will be noise.”
Allen cast a greater vision for the southeast side of West Memphis. “Bass Pro is opening five minutes away,” said the track owner. “We need to find a way for the east side of West Memphis to come together and benefit together. Bass Pro sponsors racing. We all need to advertise together to bring diners and tourists five minutes back this way to spend their time and money as opposed to letting them go five minutes the other way to Beale Street. This side of the river made the music and that side of the river took our legacy. People need to know about West Memphis. That is what we should be working on together.”
The agreement in the end was for City Planning and Engineering to evaluate the extent of the noise and develop unofficial opinions to mitigate sound. The ordinance is up for a vote with a third and final reading Dec. 18.
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