The Virginian-Pilot
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A week before the primary election, Currituck County Commissioner Barry Nelms says citations issued at motorcycle events held at his Grandy restaurant are politically motivated.
Nelms was cited by the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office on Friday for breaking the 65-decibel limit in the noise ordinance during a band performance at his restaurant, located in the Walnut Island community.
On Saturday, two bikers were issued speeding tickets near his restaurant.
On April 18, Nelms was forced to stop disk jockey music outside his restaurant because the ordinance does not allow amplified music on Sunday.
On April 19, one of Nelm’s employees was arrested for having two outstanding warrants, one for drugs and one for assault. The warrants were at least five years old and the man had been trying to resolve them, Nelms said.
On May 3, the day before the primary election, Nelms is scheduled for an appeal hearing in court for an earlier noise violation citation. Nelms is running for reelection and faces an opponent in Tuesday’s primary.
Nelms said Sheriff Susan Johnson has targeted him politically.
“It has been something every single day of the week,” Nelms said. “This whole thing is politically motivated.”
Johnson denied the charge Monday. The citations and the arrest were warranted, she said.
“Politics have no place in law enforcement,” she said. “We don’t ignore calls. Neither do we perform selective law enforcement.”
Nelms and Johnson are Democrats. Johnson has no primary opponent but is scheduled to run against a Republican challenger in November.
Sunday completed the eighth annual Outer Banks Bike Week. Thousands of motorcycle riders came to Currituck and Dare counties for events including bike shows, scenic rides and band performances. As part of the events, Nelms attracted about 5,000 bikers to his restaurant, where he had vendors and music, he said.
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noise
So here's the solution: TURN DOWN THE VOLUME and you will be obeying the law and won't get "picked on". Simple as that!
Ironic Intersection
It looks to me like this is an ironic intersection of Currituck's police state style of law enforcement and the habitually poor politics of Mr. Nelms. To me, the irony makes for good bedfellows--poor decisions and poor enforcement combining to once again damage the public good government was designed to deliver.
Dare County wins again...and please vote out all incumbents in this election.
OBX bike week
I live at Walnut Island and look forward to the bike weeks every year. I road to Mann’s Harbor no cops, Beach Road no cops, Outer Bank’s HD 1 cop. Get to Grandy cops all over the place. 7 cops at the 7-11, running speed trap on Walnut Blvd, 4 park on the street over from Barry’s with a decibel meter at 4:30 in the afternoon.(Semi truck get 80 decibels by law), 2 parked at Mallard and Shell road till 2 a.m. How many deputies were on over time protecting us from Barry? Most people, 99%, celebrate bike week at Walnut Island. This boils down to 3 people who live at Walnut Island ruining it for thousands that come and spend their money in Currituck County. So if these 3 people and the Sheriff get there way. Tourist will drive through Currituck County and spend all those TAX DOLLARS in Dare County.
Noise Decibel Levels
I called the County and understand the noise citation was for 67 decibels ("dB"), which is pretty low. Below is a chart from the internet showing different levels:
Whisper Quiet Library 30dB
Normal conversation (3-5') 60-70dB ***** This was the range
Mr. Nelms was cited for *****
Telephone dial tone 80dB
City Traffic (inside car) 85dB
Train whistle at 500', Truck Traffic 90dB
Subway train at 200' 95dB
Level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss 90 - 95dB
Power mower at 3' 107dB
Snowmobile, Motorcycle 100dB
Power saw at 3' 110dB
Sandblasting, Loud Rock Concert 115dB
Pain begins 125dB
Pneumatic riveter at 4' 125dB
Even short term exposure can cause permanent damage - Loudest recommended exposure WITH hearing protection 140dB
Jet engine at 100', Gun Blast 140dB
Death of hearing tissue 180dB
Loudest sound possible 194dB
In addition to my comment
In addition to my comment below, this man has been particularly petty and politically driven. He has embarrassed Currituck. Furthermore, his false accusations against the sheriff's office undermine their authority. It is irresponsible on his part to toss his slime on the sheriff for his own political cover.
Sounds like this community does not embrace his actions.
Sounds like this community does not embrace his actions. He will have his day in court. Do not do the crime if you do not want to pay the fine.
Commissioner's Citations Are Politically Motivated
Anyone who has lived in Currituck County for any length of time, knows that Sheriff Johnson's actions taken last weekend were absolutely politically motivated. This is her M.O. - On the other hand, isn't Barry Nelms the cat calling the kettle black? I say we take a page from the Tea Party and VOTE EVERY INCUMBENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 2nd - Starting in Washington, all the way down to little old Currituck. Clean house and start over! Let's send a message to the newly elected folks that we put them in and if they result to under-handed tactics, we'll vote them out too!
political motivation
So the Sheriff, enforcing the law, is politically motivated?
Wow that's a new one on me ...
As far as Sheriff Johnson's performance - I have no problems. I leave my keys in my car unlocked every night, and I don't break the law, so i do not have to worry about her - or her deputies "harassing" me.
Better tea
Yo angry one, you should add a little sugar to your tea. Nobody will want any of these jobs by the time you are done.
I lived in Currituck under
I lived in Currituck under Susan's admin and it was wonderful. The sheriffs are far more effective than the militant approach we had in VB. She was very responsive and approachable.
Why not just admit to yourself the man has broken the law concerning noise for years now?