A majority of the Ironton City Council decided that unknown rewards are more important than public safety and protecting lives.

The council — with a split decision of 4-3 — voted Thursday to allow golf carts to be driven on city streets.

Councilmen Dave Frazer and Kevin Waldo and councilwoman Beth Rist were the voices of reason that were overruled by the other members who allowed the wishes of a few to trump what appears to be overwhelming opposition by the citizens of Ironton.

The subject has been a hot topic of debate for a couple of months since it was first introduced this summer. Nine out of every 10 citizens The Tribune has polled on this issue strongly oppose it.

Mayor Rich Blankenship should allow common sense to prevail by vetoing the legislation.

Citizens, many of whom are hesitant to speak out publicly of because fear of retaliation, need to let their voices be heard by writing, calling or emailing the mayor.

Simply put, the city hasn’t gathered enough information and doesn’t have a clear plan on how these changes will be implemented. The idea that the traffic pattern, enforcement or implementation plan can be devised later simply doesn’t make sense. These issues should have been addressed and analyzed before changing the laws.

No one seem to have a clear idea how many people will use golf carts in the city on any given day, week or month or what they would actually use them for.

In many ways Ironton has become a retirement community but not one like those in Florida subdivisions where driving golf carts is a common practice because the prevalence of subdivisions and traffic is controlled.

No one has provided any information to prove how this would be good for the community.

The risk to public safety far out weighs any intangible benefits of putting these vehicles on city streets.

Council didn’t see it that way. The citizens can still make sure the mayor knows how they feel.