CATHERINE HAITHCOCK

Needless to say, many students, locals and business owners aren't happy.

Arguments have ranged from the destruction of a lively downtown culture to businesses fearing failure, all the way back to the possible effects the ordinance will have on Appalachian State University's enrollment.

I lived off King Street last year and I can say wholeheartedly that I could never hear live music coming from any venues, let alone other noise. Besides the occasional emergency response vehicle and girls woo-ing on the street, all was peaceful and quiet.

I suspect one or two other things are really going on here.

Either the Town Council doesn't know anything about decibel levels, or there is a much deeper alternative motive behind the proposal.

Boone has been named the fourth fastest-growing small town in America by Forbes magazine. Its population has grown by 14.7 percent and been named one of the 10 best places to retire by U.S. News & World Report.

Editorial Cartoon: AARON FAIRBANKS, Editorial Cartoonist

Every year, more students settle in Boone to continue their education in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Some leave and some stay after graduation - but the locals and the town have been here for years.

I believe this ordinance is really a way of keeping the relationship between Boone and Appalachian in check. Imagine 17,000 students bombarding your hometown.

Yes, the school has provided jobs. Yes, we've made Boone's economy flourish. But frankly, at times we're downright disrespectful to the locals and the environment.

I don't think the Town Council truly plans to change the decibel cap to something so low you can't even have a conversation on the streets. They have to know - especially after all the open public forums - that this is a ridiculous number to propose.

To me, it's more likely that this is a lot like buying a car. You go to the dealership, find the car you want and start haggling. More than likely, you're going to offer a lower price than you're actually willing to pay. The dealer will offer a rebuttal and negotiations will continue from there.

That's what this ordinance is here to do.

The Town Council knows that a significant amount of Boone's downtown revenue comes from tourism, students and locals. They're not going to jeopardize that with an unreasonable noise ordinance.

In no way, shape or form do I agree with the proposed 55-decibel cap.

But we need to step back and look at the potential for a larger meaning behind it. That'll enable us to oppose the ordinance in a civilized manner.

Haithcock, a senior journalism major from Franklin, is a news reporter.