[Vision2020] Follow-up on the Lighting Ordinance

[Jeff Harkins]

As a followup to the thread dealing with the lighting ordinance provision 
of the Omnibus Latah County Land Ordinance, I want to redirect attention 
back to the ordinance itself.  For me the fundamental question is whether 
the local, state or federal level bureaucracies should be in the business 
of regulating light bulbs - stated another way, does government have a 
comparative advantage in solving my issues for specific lighting needs.

I am somewhat surprised that the ordinance didn't address the questions 
related to health and safety of Latah Citizens and its relationship to 
lighting needs.

Decisions at the UI and at the local malls have acknowledged that there are 
security issues associated with the spaces for which they are responsible 
for managing.  Lighting at UI has increased exponentially as one means of 
dealing with the attacks on campus.  I have not heard a single complaint 
about lighting used for that purpose.

Rural residents also confront health and safety issues and several posters 
have noted their concerns about lighting and health and safety.  While I do 
recognize that light pollution can be a problem for those wishing to enjoy 
a "dark sky", those "wants" are not as important to me as providing for a 
safe environment for my family, friends and neighbors who visit me.  I 
enjoy a night sky as much as anyone else, but I am more interested in 
protecting my animals from predators.  Light is one tool I use to 
discourage those predators from getting too close.  And, my wife and I have 
used good judgment in selecting our lighting devices to deal with our 
problems. In most cases, a 60 watt bulb is not going to do the job for 
us.  We have exerted considerable effort to provide for our lighting needs 
in a responsible manner while making similar efforts at not imposing a cost 
on my neighbors.  It has been my experience in the rural area that my 
neighbors approach their problem solving in much the same way.

When laws and ordinances are adopted, there should be a clear recognition 
that there are priorities that we as people must address.  Sorry - 
protecting folks from attacks in public places are more important to me 
than dark skies; providing safety for my family, friends and neighbors is 
more important to me that dark skies.  These priorities are not reflected 
in the ordinance.  This ordinance is simply far too intrusive into the role 
and responsibility of individuals and is not necessary.