* WZMQ’s broadcast from 3/4/24 reports that there were almost 2,000 signatures requesting the entertainment center turn the volume down, when in fact the petition and signatures were in support of the entertainment center. WZMQ has issued a correction to the on-air report on 3/5/24.
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – At an Iron Mountain City Council meeting, residents and council members engaged in a heated discussion during public comment over noise complaints regarding the Maxx Entertainment Center, which is located in an industrial park away from residential neighborhoods.
Jennifer Pericolosi, an Iron Mountain resident, expressed her frustration, stating she can hear the music inside her home, which she has measured. She said her home is over 4,000 feet away from the center, “The volume of the music… I can hear a song that I can actually make out the lyrics to.” She said she was just trying to get her kids to sleep at 8 p.m. on a Wednesday night.
However, support for the entertainment center was evident, with one community member highlighting a petition with around 1700 signatures backing the venue. Sarah Langlais, a homeowner from Norway, emphasized the importance of such venues for post-COVID-19 recovery, stating, “having live music entertainment boosting the economy… is incredibly important for this area.”
“I think that after COVID-19, and the disconnection that we had as human beings to each other, having live music entertainment boosting the economy, and all the things that Dave’s business does is incredibly important for this area,’ Langlais added.
She continued, “After COVID-19 there was so much emotional disconnect. It was so difficult for so many people, and the arts community actually is a large group of people. My son plays the guitar, the bass, the actual electric guitar, the acoustic guitar, and every other thing you can think of. Trust me, I wish there was a noise ordinance in my house, because he wakes me up sometimes about 9:30 in the morning banging on those drums – but what’s cool about the Maxx, is that he gets to go up there and play with other players. There really isn’t a large band community around here, so we get to play the drums. He gets to play loudly, more loudly than I would allow him to, although it’s cool for him to have a venue to go to.’
“My son is actually good at that, so I promote that as a mom. I’m proud of him, and I’m proud of anyone that is artistically inclined, and as a community we really need a place where people can express that,” she commented, adding that the local music and arts community depends on the Maxx, and people are worried about losing it. “I think people are just worried. We don’t want to lose that. And also for the economy, it’s great. It’s going to bring money in.”
Langlais’ own son, a 13-year-old musician who plays at the venue, followed her public comment, addressing the council. Daniel Langlais stated:
“I think that the Maxx is a very different area. But it’s an amazing place for me to be able to play my music and stuff like that. I think that if that wasn’t there, it would be very hard to find other people to be able to play music with. I think that if it were to kind of get rid of [it]. I think it would be kind of hard for a lot of people, and also it’s a very good coping mechanism because stuff that our family is dealing with right now… it’s a very good coping mechanism for me,” he said, adding “It’s a good coping mechanism for some people.”
Another resident from Kingsford followed, highlighting the importance of the local music community for young musicians and artists. “I’m proud of Daniel [Langlais] for getting up here, and that’s what I wanted you guys to see: these kids. He’s not the only one. I’ve seen several of them there. There’s literally no place that they can get on a stage in this town or 50 miles around. They’d be lucky to do it in Marquette. They have to drive to Green Bay if that goes away, that’s kind of a big deal for anybody who wants to learn how to do this,” he stated, highlighting the allure of the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) genre for kids. He continued, “Yeah, it’s loud sometimes. I do think he [Fraser] probably does his best to be respectful, but there are a lot of kids that produce music, and that EDM just does it. It’s not for me, I don’t like it. I’m sure you don’t either. These are modern musicians, and one of the kids makes this electronic music. I don’t get it, I don’t like it, they love it.”
David Johnson, an East Side Iron Mountain resident and retired army veteran, raised concerns about the city’s current noise ordinance, calling it “unenforceable and unconstitutional.”
“I have talked to several people here in the city, who have fallen victim to this particular law and legal precedent establishes that if reasonable minds could differ in any way as to the definition of the boundaries of this law, then it runs afoul of the 5th amendment’s guarantee for due process,” Johnson stated, adding, “The current ordinance needs to be rewritten with concrete guidelines and act, in despite of anyone’s annoyance, not because of it.”
Mayor Dale Allesandrini acknowledged the need to reexamine the ordinance, but noted that changes would take time: a minimum of 45 days to make changes to the City’s ordinances.
The owner of Maxx Enterprises defended his business model, highlighting the profitability of EDM concerts. He emphasized, “Every time I turn that system up, we make money.” In the meantime, the owner is actively working to remedy the excessive noise by adding foam to the concrete below the stage to help prevent reverb from the bass speakers, which he identifies as the main source of the problem. The Mayor has also suggested insulating the building as another potential remedy to the noise problem.
Despite the divide, the city council discussed potential amendments to the ordinance, recognizing the need for balance between residents’ concerns and the economic benefits of the entertainment center.
