The Mauch Chunk Opera House operators say the venue is in danger of closing down because of fines imposed because of noise complaints.

The opera house leaders came to Jim Thorpe borough meeting last night looking for help.For the past nine months, the facility has been receiving noise complaints from neighbor Jerry Hoare.Since the opera house is now licensed to sell alcohol, the state Liquor Control Board can issue fines to the business due to the complaints.The total paid in fines has amassed to more than $2,000. And the owners expect that number to exceed $4,000.That's a number the Mauch Chunk Opera House can't afford.Because funds are running low to pay these fines, the opera house, with the support of other local businesses, asked Borough Council Thursday night to pass a noise ordinance.If the ordinance is passed, a petition will be submitted to the keep the LCB from policing noise violations. The ordinance will prevent the issuing of fines, therefore protecting small businesses.Business owners have contacted state legislators in regards to the issue, only to be directed to local government."There's nothing the state will do at this point. We've exhausted all communication with them," said Vincent Degiosio, producer of events at the opera house."These laws are ingrained for years and the LCB is suggesting us to go to our local municipalities for protection. That's why we're here; they keep sending us back to the borough."Jim Thorpe Mayor Michael Sofranko is tired of the back-and-forth between the local and state legislatures."My concern is obviously businesses need to be helped. And something needs to be done," Sofranko said. "But this is another sign of the state legislature kind of kicking everything down to the local front again."Local municipalities are taxed. Police departments are pushed enough and now this is another thing that they want us to enforce while they collect the revenue. We'll do what council decides, but my issue is I just get a little frustrated when the state changes laws and constantly wants us to enforce it."Virtually any noise can be fined. The LCB has no distinct decibel regulation, so it is up to whoever issues the complaint and LCB's judgment as to what constitutes a fine.The opera house has made efforts to decrease noise through sound-dampening projects such as recently installed 10-inch thick doors.However, this is not enough to silence Hoare.When asked why he would not simply stop calling, he replied, "Why don't they turn the volume down?"Hoare received little sympathy. The council noted that he should have realized the consequences of living near a music venue sooner.To further encourage council to pass the ordinance, concerned local business owners have brought forth a model the borough of Summit Hill has used to accomplish the same task.The council claims that it would be difficult to use the same ordinance, since each municipality is different.It's not just the opera house that is feeling the pain of the noise violations."We do have live entertainment," said Darren Behan, executive chef, Molly Maguires Pub and Steakhouse. "Because the music was heard outside our licensed establishment, we have incurred some fines over the past two-three years."So to prevent this from going further, we are here to ask the local municipality and the local council to adopt the noise ordinance that will focus directly on amplified music in licensed establishments."If the opera house were to close, it could have serious repercussions on the community. Not only does the business generate tourism and crowds for surrounding businesses, it also pays $16,000 in amusement taxes, and that number is projected to reach $20,000 in the coming year. The money from those taxes goes directly to the borough.A committee will discuss possibilities for solving the noise issue. Until then, the opera house will continue to struggle."We don't know how long we can sustain it," Degiosio said. "It depends on the borough if we should make an agreement soon to help us out and protect us. I really don't know. It's getting increasingly difficult every month to keep the doors open."