The controversy regarding the new Amendment to the Noise Ordinance of the City of Ocean Springs continues even after it was passed by a 5-2 vote in the presence of a standing room only crowd in Ocean Springs City Hall two weeks ago. After many months of heated debate and numerous delays it was decided outdoor amplified music will end at 11 p.m. on weekdays, and midnight on weekends. The new noise ordinance amendment takes effect in thirty days. Violations could result in a fine of up to five-hundred dollars.

The noise ordinance dispute started after local bars and nightclubs came under fire for playing loud music, and troubling residents who live in homes close to downtown.

The main solution offered by the members of the Board of Alderman apparently is that music should be played indoors, and limited in outdoor settings. The board even

voted unanimously to turn off outdoor amplified music at events held on public property at 10 p.m. every night of the week.

Due to his own pending federal lawsuit against the City of Ocean Springs, Steve Munn, owner of The Purple Pelican issued an official statement to The Gazette. The new Amendment, states Munn ,"Is a punt by the Board (of Alderman) because it appears to target the one establishment that specializes in live outdoor music. That's unfortunate, because in reality it does nothing to correct the deficiencies of the 'noise' ordinance itself."

That establishment is Mezo’s Juke Joint which seems to have been singled out in this disagreement. Christine Mezo, owner of Mezo’s Juke Joint, is calm and logical about the whole situation, “We just want a decibel level to tell us what’s too loud-an objective measure. Instead of an opinion of a person as to whether we’re loud or too loud.”