Lawsuit Filed Against Cannon Shooting Farmer

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Seven residents of the Hickman Creek Pointe subdivision filed a lawsuit against Polley in August citing that the noise is devaluing their homes and making it impossible to enjoy them.

Polley says the noisemaker is necessary as the birds destroyed a third of his cash making corn crop last growing season.

"Phil Palmgreen, whose property is perhaps 500 yards away from Polley’s, said he could feel the impact of the intermittent blasts in his chest."

Phil Palmgreen, a University of Kentucky communications professor said he has avoided cookouts on his deck because he knew it was going to get bad.

"Even with the windows closed and the TV and air-conditioning on, Palmgreen said, “you could hear the noise.”

Mr. Polley acknowledges that the cannon is loud, "It has to be loud to work he said." Wife Debbie Polley says, "We are fighting the suit not just for ourselves but other farmers in the Jessamine County. What is is going to be next not starting your tractor before 10:00 a.m. in the morning.
" The cannon that Polley uses costs less than $300, and sits on a tripod. The device allows a regulated amount of propane to flow, and at a set interval the timer triggers a spark that ignites the propane, causing a noise as loud as 120 decibels."

"The cannons have become more commonplace in Central Kentucky as farmers like Polley have switched from tobacco to alternative crops like vegetables or grapes"

Jessamine County is just south of Lexington-Fayette County and was once a predominately rural and farming community. However it is one of the fastest growing counties in the state of Kentucky and between the years of 1982-2002 it has lost 15,000 acres of rural countryside to subdivisions and development.

"“Sad to say, it’s inevitable. The urban folks move out to more rural areas of this commonwealth, and some of those folks may not be used to normal agricultural practices,” said Jeff Harper, assistant director of public affairs for Kentucky Farm Bureau"

I don't think this lawsuit will go anywhere and this man has a right to do whatever he has to to protect his crops and investments on his own property. I think these people need to learn to live with it or move I am quite sure he does not do it all that often. It only takes a few shots to scare the birds.