[Winona] Thank you, Mr. Galewski!

[john finn]

Thank you, Jim, for pointing out that our motor vehicle noise laws are not
being adequately enforced. I've heard of drivers with defective mufflers on
old cars being ticketed. But those who like to make noise with expensively
modified vehicles, especially the Harley bikers, can do so with impunity.

I'll be pleasantly surprised if this is able to get our law enforcement
agencies do anything about the loud exhaust pipe practitioners. The charity
and flag waving "support the troops" biker events have been pretty effective
in winning over the police and politicians.

What those who value peace, quiet, and civility might try is letting
individual bikers know what you think of their antics. I've been doing that
lately when I happen to run across them in parking lots or wherever. Don't
be hostile or confrontational, of course. While most of them are dressing up
for weekend role playing, you might run across a hardcore "one per center".
(That term refers to so-called outlaw gang members that at one time were
said to be the one per cent of motorcyclists that give the rest a bad
reputation. Now it might as well mean the one per cent of Harley bikers that
haven't removed their original muffler.)

Something else that worked for me: This past spring a kid was blasting
through my neighborhood on mufflerless motorcycle on the way to his early
morning job. I contacted the business and asked that they have him avoid our
street in the future.  

John N. Finn