You may hear some flack for the last sentence. Many of the usual posters on the blog feel that city dwellers should feel honored to have loud, obnoxious smokers all hours of the night every day near their homes (cue Mark Twain and others).

I wonder if the city council will go forward with their noise bill that was discussed last year, limiting the number of decibels from bars and restaurants...Hopefully, local places will work with their patrons to be a bit more respectful of the area. Those that continue to be disrespectful, like the old 723, eventually disappear.

Yeah I heard when that noise bill passes, the city is going to issue BPD decibel readers so they can measure how loud people are talking.

It's not that I feel neighborhood residents should feel honored; hardly. If you revisit my post you will read that I clearly state smokers and bar hoppers need to exhibit self-control and responsibility on their part.

Before I moved to Harbor East I had a penthouse condo at Breco Lofts (directly across Club One). I knew when I bought that condo what Club One was all about. You have not lived next to a noisy club until you have lived next to Club One. I didn't like the traffic and noise from Sonar and Club One, what did I do? I MOVED!

If you love Federal Hill but hate the noise, there's Otterbein and parts of locust point. Tired of trash on the square? You can go a few blocks in any direction and reduce the noise tenfold.

Now, that being said, there are operators of certain establishments who go out of their way to be bad neighbors, and these establishments should be closed. When you open an establishment it is your responsibility to work with the associations that represent the home owners throughout the neighborhood.

If you, or anyone, have a problem with an establishment and want it closed, the easiest and most efficient way to do so is to not go. The power of your wallet is far greater than any protest request, drafted letter, or phone call you can make.

Lastly, if anyone is under the impression that the city is going to issue decibel readers (which I should note, they don't and won't have to issue) they are not familiar with the city's budget.

I know some peeps are upset about that smoking area... and probably a little jealous.

But you got to admit to build that... Steve has [testicular fortitude]. (ironic???)

I did hear that BPD is going start making cops take balloon animal making classes and face painting classes because they have a budget surplus.