An Easy Fix

I am a lifelong rancher and livestock market operator in South Dakota and North Dakota. We researched the state of Arizona for a place to retire that had a reputation for what the city offered that was appealing to most all people. The history of Cave Creek is what put it on the map. I had 153 employees and merchandised over 600,000 head of livestock per year. I know what noise is all about; one of my livestock markets is 15 miles from Sturgis, South Dakota. I have witnessed a town that is known as a biker and bar center. Sturgis was the shopping and banking center for ranchers forever until the image changed to a biker and bar center. Property values also changed. The way of life was affected in the wrong direction. There are a lot of empty buildings on Main Street. By now you probably think this rancher and cattleman is a goody-goody. You’re wrong.

It was promoted that the majority of bikers are very successful lawyers, doctors, and professional people. Do not be mislead by that statement. It is time for me to get to the point. The town attorney and mayor should know what the noise ordinance is. If they do not know, they better get up to date. It is public information. The law states if an ordinance is not enforced it must be changed; that is the Law. I have always said if you do not gain knowledge every day it is a day wasted. I am a guy that calls a spade a spade. Do not tell me that when you leave a drinking establishment after spending several hours of sipping that you would be sober.

I do not like braggers but in my business I had a zero tolerance rule. If I ever witnessed an employee abusing livestock of any kind or dogs, they knew not to explain why. They were directed to get to the time clock, punch out and get the hell off the property and never come back. After three or four people lost their jobs because of total enforcement and zero tolerance, that problem was over; it benefited everyone. Law enforcement does not hit home until a son, daughter, wife, husband or grandchild dies because of laws not being enforced. Motorcycles are fine with most people if the ordinance is followed. You do not need a meeting where people holler, get mad and make threats. If the mayor and council members do not see to it that the ordinance is followed, you should say goodbye to them. Do you know anyone that can’t be replaced?

I was national president of the Livestock Marketing Association corporate office in Kansas City. I can guarantee common sense solves problems, not threats about suing somebody. There is an easy fix to most problems. If you do not follow the law the first thing you should do is see a brain specialist. Constructive criticism makes smart people smarter. If you believe a city ordinance should be enforced, take the time and find out what the ordinance is for noise in the Town of Cave Creek. You can get this information on your computer. There was research on noise that showed bikers with loud Mufflers needed hearing aids young in life. Do you call that fake news? What goes around comes around. Respect people the way you want to be respected. I talked to the law enforcement officer in Cave Creek about a sign posted about noise as you come into Cave Creek on Cave Creek Road. He must not trust our mentality; he said that sign was meant for Carefree. If that sign is right, someone better get that sign turned in the right direction and on the other side of the road. It is quite evident there is bias for some reason.

If you want a good laugh, try to locate the sign that warns you about the noise ordinance or disco warning. Make yourself a memo to remind yourself, regardless of your city manager, city mayor, council members or anyone that has to do with management, that business does not fail. Management does. If you do not agree with that, do not go into business for yourself.

Gail Sohler
Cave Creek