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Hernando Today

Bikers Don't Exceed Noise Levels At Rodeo

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 11, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Despite concerns of excess noise and rowdy behavior, the biker rodeo held Halloween weekend on the county's eastside seems to have gone off without a hitch.

Well, almost.

Deputies reported a fight between two women. The victim was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. The other was charged with misdemeanor battery.

There was also a complaint, lodged last week, of cussing over the loudspeaker. Code enforcement officials will look into it.

Otherwise, the event that many neighbors feared would lead to trouble, was tame. It will be up to county commissioners to determine if it was tame enough to allow the organizer, Brooksville rancher Jimmy Batten, to do it again next year at his 40-acre ranch at 27151 Soult Road.

On both nights of the event, Code Enforcement Director Mark Caskie said he was stationed along Soult Road and Wildflower Drive - close to the activities.

Caskie said he took decibel readings and at no time did the noise from the rodeo exceed county ordinances.

Zoning Administrator Gary Fisher said he drove the area the Monday after the event to see if rodeo organizers cleaned up after themselves.

Fisher said the only thing he saw on the side of the road was a discarded fast food cup.

He said he did get one complaint last week from a man who lives off Soult Road who reported profanity blaring over the loudspeaker.

At this late date, it would be hard to gather evidence, said Fisher, who turned the complaint over to code enforcement.

Fisher said he will put together a report on the rodeo and submit it to county commissioners early in 2009.

The adults-only event was promoted as an "Old School Biker Rodeo," with motorcycle games, food and beer. Batten said he raised $14,000 to $15,000 for local disabled veterans.
Batten said he expects a "good report card" from county commissioners so he can hold another rodeo in May.
Batten hired 12 men from Leesburg to handle internal security and there were two off-duty deputies for crowd control. There were more than 2,000 people there for the weekend, he said.

He said he was careful to check identification at the gate so minors were restricted access.

Contrary to reports of public nudity at past rodeos, participants kept their clothes on, he said. Except for two women, who took off their tops, he said. However, both women were body-painted and "you couldn't see anything," Batten said.

The games taught motorcycle safety and skills, he said.

For example, in one game, bikers had to push a beer keg 50 feet over a course to hone their maneuverability skills.

Dozens of residents showed up at a county commission meeting in September to complain about past biker rodeos and asked the board to take special precautions.

Commissioners approved a conditional use permit but, to play it safe, asked for tight security measures and crowd control.

The board also asked staff to draft a follow-up report to determine whether noise ordinances were followed.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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