Back when we started this campaign, 100 signatures seemed like a challenging goal.  Now we have 600.  With that momentum, our advocacy effort continues, it's gaining support, and we won't quit until the City Council agrees to hold public hearings, consult experts and consider a new noise ordinance. 

I've met with several community groups over the past month. At one recent meeting, a former member of the City Council approached me to say she's surprised that the ordinance was radically weakened in 2023, with no thoughtful consideration. When she was on the Council about 20 years ago, a major new noise ordinance was considered. A leading regional expert was brought in from Rutgers, and with his help a new code was passed in 2005, with considerable discussion and a back and forth that slightly modified some of the expert suggestions.

It's sad, and it's shocking, that Yonkers is moving backward -- despite all the other hype we hear about our great progress.

There's a lot more going on behind the scenes. We got this ordinance because of serious official improprieties, and there is a slight chance that these will be brought to light and consequences imposed. I wish I were more optimistic about that -- the city hasn't even been able to address a glaring technical mistake in the ordinance that was passed. 

But it's election season, and perhaps the vying candidates will soon realize that noise is a good campaign issue, and that asking for a more thoughtful approach to legislation may also resonate.