Noise still an issue

Dear Editor:

I would like to respond to Mr. Robert Smith’s letter to you “Listen to the cries of the dying.”  In his letter he stated that the protestors weren’t bothering any residents of Claremont because “on one corner of this intersection there is a strip mall, on another business offices, on a 3rd a gas station, and on the 4th an entirely bare lot!”  I would like Mr. Smith to take a closer look at that intersection.

In the southwest corner there is a business lot with an electrolysis office and a seamstress, however there are also apartments on that same lot.  On the north east corner there is an empty lot but just north and east of that lot are several homes and, since there are no buildings or homes on corner lot, there is nothing blocking the noise from carrying over into those homes.  Just south of Arrow Highway on Indian Hill Boulevard there are 4 homes.  I live in one of those homes near the intersection of Indian Hill Boulevard and Arrow Highway.  On Friday, March 28th I was home with my two young children who were very sick.  Since it was a nice day we had the windows and doors open.  I had my children laying down that afternoon to rest/take a nap when the protestors took their weekly spot on the corner and the honking began.  You may not hold signs that say honk but you certainly don’t discourage it.  The majority of the people who do honk don’t tap their horns lightly once or twice, they press down firmly on the horn giving several loud and very long honks.

Several big trucks passed by and their horns are many times louder than cars.  We eventually had to close the windows and doors so my girls could get some rest.  While I do not have to experience this hour and a fourth of weekly disturbance because I work during that time my neighbors do.  

Do you think there is some magic barrier or bubble around that intersection that keeps the blaring noise of the horns and honking from traveling into the homes and apartments near that intersection?  Do you think that the people who honk quit the second they are out of the intersection, or do they continue honking as they drive up/down the street since your protestors stand a few feet up each street holding their signs?  Would you like it if I parked in front of your home and honked my horn for one and one-fourth hours?  Do you know what its like to finally get your child down for a nap, especially a sick one, and have them woken up by a sudden very loud noise?  I feel sorry for my neighbors who have to sit through it week after week, month after month.  Are you sure that intersection is the most heavily traveled? The intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Indian Hill Boulevard seems pretty busy to me and there are no homes near that intersection.

Next Friday when you stand on the corner protesting or drive through the intersection and honk please remember that there ARE residents who live there, and you ARE disturbing them even if it’s only for “one and a quarter hours.”

K. S.
Claremont