LETTERS: MUSIC FESTIVAL'S VOLUME NEEDS TO BE CONTROLLED

To the editor:

Last Friday, the City of Roses Music Festival opened in the downtown area. This was the first year the festival was heard for a 20-block radius. The noise level was such that, several blocks away inside a house with the windows closed, it drowned out the television. I called the police, and they informed me they could hear the concert on Sprigg Street but could not do anything to ask organizers to turn down the volume because City Hall had issued the festival a permit.

My fear that this experience would be repeated on Saturday night was realized. On Monday I called the city manager's office. I was told that they were sorry and that there were some "atmospheric conditions" that caused the music to be so loud.

The festival has never before caused this type of disturbance. I certainly do not think this event should be canceled. But the city should guarantee that the noise level will not reach this volume again. There should be a procedure for asking the organizers to reduce the volume should "atmospheric conditions" cause the same kind of disturbance.

MICHELLE HALTER

Cape Girardeau