Turn It Down 2

Last week I ran a story about the volume level coming from the LOCO Drive-In. Apparently, a number of residents have raised concerns about not just the sound but in some cases the vulgar language being broadcast. Don't think any body has any ill will toward the drive-in, they just simply don't want to have to hear it at their residences. According to a post on my Facebook page, Loudon City councilman, John Cardwell, is working on a noise ordinance to address the issue. The drive-in is located in the city of Loudon.

Had the proprietors done what they said they were going to do, there would never have been any issues. At the Loudon City and Loudon County meetings, Mr. Whitner stated multiple times that the sound for the movies would be broadcast through car radios or a mobile phone app and external speakers would only be used in the case of emergencies.    

After last weeks report, LOCO took to their social media page to discuss the matter. In that they mentioned a "leaked memo". In local government, there are no "leaked memos". Any letters or documents transmitted to and from any elected or appointed officials are in fact, public documents. So to be clear, there were no "leaked memos" to or from anybody. And if Mr. Qualls claimed that, he was just covering for himself.

One other question that came to me after last week's story was, how does anybody get a $200.00 per month lease on 10 acres? Back in 2021, the Loudon City council and 9 of the county commissioners voted to approve the 5 year, $200.00 per month lease to the drive-in. Several members of the council and commission have changed since that time.  

Hopefully, the issue can be resolved and all involved can be happy.

News Herald July 7, 2021
“I’m a huge fan of the theaters, Regal and AMC both,” Whitener said. “This is really is you’re starting to see this a multipurpose entertainment facility. We are going to operate as a drive-in for four nights a week, but we’ll end up having concerts here and there may be a car show here. We’re going to do some special events here, and in the fall we’re going to operate like an outdoor sports bar. We’re going to show some football games and just make it fun for people.”

Visitors can listen via screen speakers, a low-transmission FM signal and a phone app.

“But most people the speaker system is so strong — the first night we didn’t even have it plugged in yet,” Whitener said. “Last night we played it and it was pretty robust.”

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12/25/23