Citizens speak out at council meeting

 

Since late June, Ironton City Council has considered whether to allow golf carts on city streets.

At Thursday’s regular meeting, a couple of citizens gave their opinion on the ordinance, which if passed would provide rules for the operation of the small vehicles in Ironton.

Ironton resident Paul Glanville spoke out in opposition of the ordinance.

“To me that’s another thing that’s going to be on the city streets, just like the motorized wheelchairs,” Glanville said. “I know people have to get around, but somehow, somewhere they should have to mark those things with a pole and a flag like they used to, or somehow a rotating light or a strobe light.”

Glanville asked how many people have come out in support of the ordinance.

Council Chairman Mike Lutz said he had received 30 emails and half as many phone calls expressing support. He also said someone told him they were against the new law.

“It’s surprised me how much volume that I received that is positive,” Lutz said. “We vote on things that are $3 million, and we’re talking about golf carts.”

Lutz also recommend the ordinance get a third reading before passing or rejecting it.

Mayor Rich Blankenship also said several citizens have asked that the ordinance be given a third reading to allow for more community input.

Another Ironton resident, Duke Sheridan, agreed somewhat with Glanville.

“They need to be clearly marked above the cart itself,” Sheridan said. “They need a light or something because they are dangerous. They are just like motorcycles. They are there and you don’t see them.”

Sheridan also said if having golf carts in the city would be a positive move he would support it.

Councilman Aaron Bollinger said he would be in support of a trial run of a golf cart ordinance that was previously tabled.

“I liked the first ordinance that was read because that was dealing with keeping the golf carts off the main streets but they can abide by these laws on the side streets,” Bollinger said. “… I am fearing if we start putting these on Second Street and Park Avenue, there might be some issues.”

The ordinance currently on the table would require the carts to undergo the same inspection and registration process as other street-legal vehicles plus an additional annual $20 registration fee with the city police department.

The carts would have to have proper title, insurance, registration and license plates, as well as a licensed driver at least 16 years old.

The carts would only be allowed on city streets with a 35 mph or less speed limit. The carts would be allowed to cross over intersections with higher speeds so long as the cart remains on a street with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

Children who fall under the child restraint criteria would not be allowed in the carts.

The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sept. 12.