Below are two comments from different people written about The Bandon lighting ordinance, Ordinance 1594-Outdoor Lighting Regulations. The City Council of Bandon voted to pass the measure to a second reading. Here is the link to the original story and we will be filing a referendum petition on this issue.
Bandon City Council ORDINANCE 1594 - OUTDOOR LIGHTING REGULATIONS
Bandon City Council ORDINANCE 1594 - OUTDOOR LIGHTING REGULATIONS
| Bandon: The City of Ordinances What ever happened to community education, awareness and consensus-building. You know, the old approach where people got together to discuss issues and problems and how to do things better and new approaches were implemented because someone did something new and different and it worked and then another neighbor said "Hey, that makes sense" and another said "Hm, that looked easy, I think I’ll try that." Then a city, power company or community group got together and said "Hey, why don’t we buy some of those widgets (in this case light shields) at cost and sell them at cost or give them away so more people in the community will see how easy and good for the community this is. And before long about 98% (because there are always a few hold outs) of the community adopted the new approach and the problem was solved, all without enacting another rule, law or ordinance. But nope, this is Bandon, the City of Ordinances where the "powers that be" love their ever growing and onerous rule books and the "Bandon Tomorrow" they are trying to create without truly understanding what Bandon was yesterday and is "Today" and what drew then here in the first place. Postscript: It’s one thing to amend a building code to reflect a new technology and or better approach and a whole other thing to try to change community behaviors through more rules and regulations. In a truly civilized, well informed and engaged community, transparency is evident and fewer laws and ordinances are necessary. Then again, communities, similar to organizations and businesses often become reflections of their leadership. Hmm! | 
Rob, Really don't have the time to come to the Council Meeting. I for one don't appreciate folks who leave outdoor lights on all night long, and have so informed some of my neighbors who have since put timers/motion detectors on their outdoor lights. It is nice to go outside and not see lights, but I live in a valley that is limited to one house/20 or 40 acres. To obtain this same night "abiance" in a city is a ridiculous goal. As I understand the Ordinance it would be unlawful for you to have lighting on your deck, especially if that deck is facing the ocean and/or can be seen by your neighbors. The limitation in the Ordinance that no lights can be "directed" toward a beach or the bird rocks is highly subjective. Moreover, has the USFWS documented any adverse effect of current lighting in Bandon? Has anyone reported confused birds crashing into homes when outdoor lights are on? Listen, if these idiots want to "enjoy" the night sky, let them drive out of town, or move into the country or better yet let them move to North Korea where they can live in a small town where there is no lighting at all at night, but they can feel comfort in knowning that there are other folks out in the darkness that are as miserable as they are in the glorious collective they have created. Dan | ||||
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