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Noise complaints return to beach

Officials report no violations at the Bamboo Beer Garden. Is it a seasonal grievance or just bad singing?

By PAUL SWIDER
Published January 1, 2006

MADEIRA BEACH - Bad singing isn't a crime, but not everyone sees it that way.

With the return of seasonal residents to the beaches, noise complaints around the Bamboo Beer Garden have started again, even though officials say there have been no real legal violations.

"Maybe there's just a sense from some people that, because it was a problem last year, it will be again this year," said Pinellas County sheriff's Deputy Ben West, who works as the contracted community police officer for Madeira Beach, where the bar is located.

West said part of the problem may be that cool weather means people open their windows and can more easily hear the Bamboo's music and karaoke shows. He said he and his officers respond to complaints and take measurements with a decibel meter but have issued no citations. He said sometimes the meter spikes for certain parts of songs, but there are no sustained problems.

"One singer might be a screamer, and the next one might be more mellow." he said of the karaoke shows. "Neighbors say that when there's a professional musician, it's not a problem."

He said the bar has its own decibel meter so staff can self-police. The city continues to monitor the situation but plans no action itself.

"We talked about noise at a workshop, but we decided we're not going to make any changes to our ordinance," said Madeira Beach Mayor Charles Parker. He said the City Commission considered noise issues throughout the city, not just in regard to the Bamboo. He said there are many more complaints about Gator's, which is across John's Pass from Madeira Beach but in Treasure Island, meaning his city has no jurisdiction.

Parker said the commission talked about proactive approaches, like buffers that could avert complaints near places like the Bamboo. West said he has talked to the bar's owner, Rosie DeYoung, about some of these measures, too. DeYoung said she's not creating any problems or breaking laws and so feels put upon that she should make any changes.

"I'm trying not to make any waves," she said about operating the 60-year-old establishment with an international cult following, "but I'll take this back to court if that's what it takes."

DeYoung said there was a spate of complaints and citations last year, but the cases were thrown out of court when there were no witnesses at trial. She still contends the complaints are an attempt to pressure her into closing the bar so its land can be redeveloped.

"All I have here is a few people who want to laugh a little and sing a few ditties," she said of her mostly retiree crowd. "But the big money wants to move out the small business."

[Last modified January 1, 2006, 00:28:15]