Promise people on the Docks noise complaints
and how to throw a responsible party at Cherry Beach
"Here's some developments regarding Cherry Beach.
You may have read headlines recently about the controversy surrounding the Docks complex. Residents of the Island have brought pressure through city hall to shut the place down due to noise violations over the years. There's a serious intersection of money, power and municipal politics here and this battle is probably far from over. The repercussion on all Cherry Beach events may be significant.
David and Irving met with Jerry Sprackman, the owner of the Docks, on wednesday to hear his perspective and understand what's going on and how it could affect Cherry Beach. Jerry has a huge investment in the Docks, and he believes that noise from the beach is mistakenly being blamed by Island residents on his club. He understandably wants to protect his interests and told us that he cannot tolerate threats to the Docks' continued operation due to 'illegal beach parties'. We think it's cool of Jerry to talk candidly with us, and we're inclined to help him out and work towards calming things down.
Jerry was impressed with the care and heart in each and every Sunday afternoon and the many people who contribute and come out to enjoy it each week. However, he feels that if city council is examining his business closely enough to want to shut it down, they should be applying similar scrutiny to things happening on their own land in the area. He feels that loud Cherry Beach parties are causing grief for the Docks and needs to let the city know that they are happening. The implications are clear - we all have to take extra care with anything going on there. Cherry Beach is a gift, don’t fuck it up.
Who's wrong and who's right in the noise controversy is irrelevant. Jerry is a smart big business man with vast resources at his disposal and a legitimate stake in how things go down. He owns 22 acres of prime waterfront property there and is determined to keep it running. He's stated that he has no intention to make problems for us unless necessary. Let's act wisely with the continued good times at Cherry Beach.
Nighttime and daytime parties - We'd like to offer suggestions to anyone planning a gathering at Cherry Beach. Here they are:
Avoid the point near to the Rochester ferry dock. This is too close to the Island and sound goes right across the water. Stay away from the point. The Docks will be sending their people down there to report any disturbances to the police.
Choose spots in the forest away the beach in the trees to help prevent sound traveling. Point speakers towards the city and away from the Island. Send someone to the parking lot - if they can hear the music from there then it’s too loud, simple.
If there's more than one sound system at the beach then one needs to shut down or the two need to combine - make it work.
And leave no trace. Seems easy but gets difficult in the dark but handle it! There's no collection of random bagged garbage either - it has to be taken to the bins in the parking lot. We arrive sundays to unbelievable amounts of garbage clearly left over from friday and saturday nights.
If you're at a party at the beach and the organizers are not doing a responsible job let them know, then leave and take people with you.
We really encourage anyone planning an event at Cherry beach to get in contact and use us as a resource, we know the nature of sound down there very well by now so let's confer on this situation together. Call David at 416 550 2702 or Irving at 416 902 1740 to link up.
Promise sunday afternoons - Most parties happen at Cherry Beach during the night and they're in a different legal category than our afternoon music picnics. If we are visited by by-law officers or the police, this is how to handle things:
You're not a criminal, so don't act like one. Don't run away. Greet cops respectfully and explain what’s going on - we're having a picnic with lots of good friends, music, kids, nice dogs, frisbees and hammocks.
If cops ask for your name and address, give it to them - they just want to do a background check to make sure you’re not a risk to them. Understand the tough job they have.
Don't yell about 'your rights' or get lippy about cops ruining people's fun. They're the ones that have to work on the weekend checking us out and they won’t want to hear it. They're on our side - keep them there.
If you happen to have some alcohol with you it needs to disappear immediately.
Be there to help with the dismantling of the sound system and collection of garbage. Cops and bi-law officers respect that.
If you follow our suggestions and get an infraction we'll have a fundraiser and help cover costs. It's a civil offense like a parking ticket and doesn’t go on your record, so we suggest it's not a big deal.
We're a beautiful and diverse community of friends, let's be wise and strong. Change happens and we need to roll with it. Thanks for reading, and please help spread the word if you're into what we had to say.
cheers,
David and Irving"
Man, these guys are the best.
And on a positive note, Cherry Beach will be happening this Monday and will feature a popular gal by the name of Sydney Blu. (see events forum)
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"When I die, I want to be buried under the dancefloor"- Frankie Madgenta
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