<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">Mr. Harkins,<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Please do your homework about neighbors before you post. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>It's wonderful that you, as a rural property owner, "respect the concept of light pollution and manage my light use to be as unobtrusive as possible." It is to be applauded that you and your neighbors are able to work out problems such as light pollution. I, too, am a rural property owner and have enjoyed good working relations with my neighbors. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>However, some neighbors simply don't give a crap. They do what they do and don't consider anything but their own amusements. If their night lights are pointed directly into your living room, it's your problem, not theirs ('put up heavier curtains' they might say). Some neighbors will be understanding and listen to reason. Others will go out and increase the wattage. It's a crapshoot. You and I, we're lucky to have good neighbors. Many others are not so fortunate. And with the current trend of building a house on top of every hill in the county, light pollution is bound to get worse. </DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I support the draft ordinance requiring shielded lights. This shows consideration for neighbors and still allows excellent visibility for property owners. I fail to see how this requirement will cause more "damage and injury to property and persons" or cause more "damages to animals and crops harmed by predators and foragers". My unshielded lights (granted, they are not high wattage mercury vapor lights) do not keep the deer and moose away nor do they stop the coyotes from their nightly prowls. As to "damages resulting from burglary, trespass and general mischief", well, shielded or not, lights alone will not deter a determined burglar or general mischief-maker.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I take great pleasure in viewing the night sky, unobstructed from most neighbors lights. I am very fortunate in that regard and wish to remain so. This proposed ordinance is a positive step towards preserving one aspect of this wonderful quality of life we currently enjoy here in Latah County while causing few, if any, real problems.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>-Steven</DIV><DIV><BR><DIV><DIV>On Jan 21, 2006, at 11:46 PM, Jeff Harkins wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"> Mr. Evans, <BR><BR> Please do your homework about the physics of light before you post.<BR><BR> For the rest of you interested in this topic, consider that with a bit over 1000 square miles of land in Latah County, there are 500 rural farm lights (yard lights). That is <B><I>1 light per 2 square miles</I></B>. Since many of the lights are clustered in areas around the urban centers, the average number of light units per square mile drops considerably. It is dark in the rural parts of this county.<BR><BR> As a rural property owner, let me assure you that I do respect the concept of light pollution and manage my light use to be as unobtrusive as possible. All of us in our "neighborhood" work together to not impose on each other on most issues, including lighting. If there was a problem, we would find a way to work it out. I don't recognize your name and I am rather confident that you don't live near me. So why, exactly, are you attempting to dictate lighting issues to me and my neighbors. <BR><BR> If you, Mr. Evans, would be willing to demand that the County accept all liability for damage and injury to property and persons that result from reduced lighting on rural property, would support a fair compensation to me (or my neighbors) for damages to animals and crops harmed by predators and foragers, would support public funds be raised to reimburse me (or rural residents) for damages resulting from burglary, trespass and general mischief, we can pursue a dialogue. Frankly, I would rather invest such scarce public dollars in county infrastructure and schools .... <BR><BR> Until then, I will not compromise my responsibility for the health and safety of my family, my neighbors or my friends for your dark sky agenda. <BR><BR> Until you support full financial responsibility by Latah County for the consequences for what you are asking me and my neighbors to do in our neighborhood, why don't you work with your neighbors to deal with the light pollution in your neighborhood? I assume that you live in Moscow.<BR><BR></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>