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Golf carts expected to be discussed at Linton Council meeting on Monday night

Friday, July 10, 2009
By Timberly Ferree, Staff Writer

Look for golf carts to top the discussion during Monday's Linton City Council meeting.

Linton Mayor Tom Jones provided the details in a Thursday morning interview with the Greene County Daily World.

"We'll talk about a golf cart ordinance. We're not ready to pass one yet. It may be August or September when we're ready," Jones explained.

In April, the state approved legislation allowing golf carts to be driven in towns and cities beginning July 1 if there is a local ordinance allowing it.

"It's not legal as we speak today in Linton. It's not legal until the city passes an ordinance," Jones said.

Provisions within the state legislation require the driver of the golf cart to have a valid driver's license and the vehicle to have insurance as well as a revolving red or amber light or slow moving vehicle sign.

"I'm not opposed to them (golf carts) at all. But I want to make sure we do it right. I think it's a good idea as long as we have the infrastructure to support it," the mayor added.

Discussion with the police department on the issue is also needed, he noted. The matter is currently being researched.

As for annexation, the public hearing -- which was slated for Monday -- has been rescheduled.

"The public hearing has been pushed back to September due to notifying some people who hadn't been previously notified," Jones noted.

Discussion on an electric rate increase is also on Monday's agenda.

"The study has been complete. I don't know the rate increase now. It's not huge, but it is significant," Jones said, adding he may know more by Monday.

The Linton City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at Linton City Hall. A Board of Works meeting is set for 6 p.m. prior to the council meeting. Both sessions are open to the public.

Comments

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They need to set an ordinance..or some rules at least..for those annoying four-wheelers too. People fly up and down our street at all times of the day and we have neighbors behind us who allow their young children to ride their four-wheeler around and around their house until midnight some nights..people do sleep! At least golf carts are quiet.

-- Posted by Jada on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 12:29 PM

Jada: I'm pretty sure it's already illegal. It's just not enforced.

-- Posted by per moenia urbis on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 1:09 PM

Just like the golf carts will not be. We have kids flying up and down our street AND the field on 4 wheelers... if they aren't going to enforce either one of the ordinances, then I would vote with the golf carts....at least they are quieter and less dangerous!

-- Posted by Maxine66 on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 1:25 PM

And what about the noise ordiance..it's obviously not enforced...look at all the jacked-up trucks with extremely loud exhausts running through the city. It's pretty bad when pedestrians have to cover their ears when these trucks pass by. I've never understood the point in having such a loud exhaust anyway.

-- Posted by Jada on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 1:39 PM

In the town I live in Hamilton County (north of Indy) we have allowed Golf Carts on City streets.

Our town has a very fair yet strict policy for the carts. Over the 4th of July it got out of control - kids - The kids got out of control, one police officer that I spoke to said - "hey it's a Holiday, not normal times" - for which I agreed. The hours of operation are limited, age of operator, headlights, turn signals, SMV sign, ect. After the 4th now- well a person may see a few of them lined up at McDonalds, Jackson Street Resturant, Coffee Company. ALL driven by us mid 55 and up in age people. Most went overboard with flashing yellow lights and some with LED strobes.

Please allow it - it will calm down after a few weeks of people playing with new toys.

-- Posted by gary g on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 2:45 PM

Most people I have seen are really responsible when they are driving golf carts. Of course there are the few who can't be responsible and do stupid things and try to ruin it for other people.

As for the 4-Wheelers, people also need to be responsible on those. Don't speed, stop at stop signs and wear helmets. They aren't that bad if people would just do those things and stay out of trouble.

I think that the loud exhausts on trucks needs to be put to a stop. There needs to be a noise ordinance passed and drivers need to be fined for having too loud of exhausts on their vehicles. Its ridiculous that a person can't even go walking and the exhaust is louder than the music on the MP3 player or even enjoy quiet time in their yard without someone speeding up and down the street to show off how loud their truck or car can get.

-- Posted by MinerChic on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 3:14 PM

Jada. With your suggestions for ordinances and enforcement thereof, you are a regular attendee of the city council meetings?

-- Posted by L A on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 7:21 PM

Loud trucks, cars blaring their radio, 4-Wheelers racing way too fast down side streets ARE issues that need to be addressed and taken care of immediately. One of these days the punks down the street from me are going to hurt an innocent child/person because they are racing like idiots around the block in their loud vehicles while blaring their music. The kids on the 4 Wheelers are out of control...in town & on back roads, didn't we just have a wreck recently that put some youngsters in the Hospital? The noise ordinance?...where is it? Where I grew up the noise ordinance was enforced and I believe it was a $25 ticket. A few tickets like that and it might cure the problem!?

As for the main subject here, golf carts,as long as they aren't hazardous (driving in-between heavy traffic) then they don't pose as a problem to me. I don't want to be held up by a golf cart in traffic; and I want the golf cart to abide by any rules as any other licensed vehicle.

-- Posted by BES23 on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 8:21 PM

whats it matter? there all over the roads anyways but do the cops in this town care? i think not. i have to pay a wheel tax just so i can drive on these roads in my car and the last thing i want is to be held up by some golfcart in/on the roads. just like there people on these scooters driving on the highways, wheres these peoples wheel tax. most of the people that are riding scooters lost their license for a reason. i think its all b.s. but who am i to say anything? as for the fourwheeler, im pretty sure they say right on them somewhere "OFF ROAD VECHELE" and no one under 16.

-- Posted by wouldntyouliketoknow on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 12:16 AM

The law says that an atv is not allowed to be on any street within a corporate limit. Unless given special permisson such as a parade or such. Then that would have to go through the proper channels. So in Linton, Bloomfield, Switz City, Jasonville it is illeagal to operate an atv within city limits. According to state Bruce Borders is sponsoring a bill to ammend that. I'm guessing to allow such things as the Gators and yamaha rhinos.

-- Posted by Aaron on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 1:00 AM

To wouldntyouliketoknow - in this town we do pay a fee to register the golf cart. This all includes a police officer inspection - regarding insurance and safety. 5 day pass is $10.00, year pass is $50.00-- what is your wheel tax?? So because you pay a wheel tax- does that give you the right to blast/drive around me? I do not pay a wheel tax on my tractor in Smith Township.

-- Posted by gary g on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 6:37 AM

If they want to ride the golf carts on the streets make them register them with the state and pay taxes every year like i do with my 4-wheelers.

-- Posted by rzrfan on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 9:47 AM

We don't need any special rules that are not going to be enforced anyway. Just pass the ordinance allowing golf carts and let the state law take care of the rest.

-- Posted by keninman on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 11:34 AM

Read this story to discover exactly what is required to legally drive a golf cart in Indiana. Indiana HEA 1483 must be adhered to in addition to any local ordinance set forth by your city or town.

http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1546363.ht...

Those "loud" pipes? Are they too loud by your standards or are they illegal? Do they exceed state or federal law in their decibel rating? Do your local police officers have in their possession decibel meters to judge whether a vehicle is in violation?

There are many matters to be considered before law enforcement can meet each citizen's expectation of what is right and wrong.

-- Posted by L A on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 11:44 AM

any vehicle on the streets should have a license plate, operated by a licensed driver and have some type of insurance. Four wheelers drive up and down the streets with excessive speed. I know the police can't be everywhere, but someone is going to get seriously hurt or killed then it will be too late. I'm not for it, but if they are responsible individuals guess it would be ok.

-- Posted by cubfan on Sun, Jul 12, 2009, at 10:32 AM

Whether it's "illegal" or not..those loud pipes disrupt the peace of the city..not saying every vehicle should be as quiet as a mouse..but come on..enough is enough when you literally feel your brain being wracked when one of these absurdly loud trucks drives by and intentionally guns the motor to "show off" just how much money they've put into their glass packs! And no I'm not a regular at the meetings..I think it should be common sense that these issues be addressed and not pounded into the heads of city officials.

-- Posted by Jada on Sun, Jul 12, 2009, at 9:00 PM

I know there is a state law to have mufflers. I know people that their trucks have been stopped and the cop actually lay on the ground and check to see. Just the bad part is sometimes the mufflers are just as loud as no mufflers.

-- Posted by citizen474 on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 1:18 AM

My 4wheeler does not say "off road vehicle" anywhere. It does say all-terrain vehicle. Golf cart drivers are generally slow and cautious and wouldn't harm anybody. As for the kids out there driving 4wheelers like maniacs, they should have them impounded before they ruin it for those of us that actually do drive our 4wheelers like we have some common sense. My atv is registered and insured and I have had a valid driver's license for more years than I am willing to admit! I send a thank you to our Linton police offers that just smile and wave as they see me going by on my atv following all traffic laws. They have real criminals to spend their time on and I am proud that they, unlike Jasonville's officers, do not feel the need to "make a name for themselves" by being the hero officer that runs a guy out of town on his atv. For the record- I mean no disrespect towards any police officer, however, I praise any officer that is more interested in going after the "real" bad guys.

-- Posted by greenecountyresident on Mon, Jul 13, 2009, at 4:54 PM

GCR.. Linton officers may smile and wave but you are still breaking state law.

-- Posted by L A on Wed, Jul 15, 2009, at 9:08 AM