At the county commissioner’s meeting last week, the ordinance establishing rules and regulations for off-road vehicles and all-terrain vehicles passed by a 2-1 vote.
Commissioner Ron Sanders told the Democrat that he asked the other commissioners to table the discussion until January to allow the new commissioners to handle the ordinance, but they did not oblige.
“This is not the end of it, this will be going on for a long time,” Sanders said. “I just hope no one gets hurt or killed. I would’ve rather the new commissioners who will have to deal with it make the vote. My other concern is the noise. We all live here for peace and quiet, on the weekends we might give it up but for the most part, it’s fairly quiet. It was too quick. The first meeting was June 24 and then 25, then the first read was supposed to be July 3, nine days later. The first read meeting was canceled because of a death in the community and rescheduled for July 10 and then we voted on July 17. It’s all too quick. They say they have been talking about it for years, but for many people this is the first time they are hearing about it. The room was packed with more people for it than against, but that’s not a true representation of the county, it was only the room and the other commissioners know that. They know it was not an actual representation of our community. Most people in this state and even nationally have their heads down. They don’t want to speak up when they are against something, but on social media people hold you to what you say.”
Commissioner Blake Wolpert said that commissioners have been researching and investigating the potential ordinance since 2008, but they did not pass it earlier because the response was not positive.
“People saying we tried to fast track it are outrageous,” said Wolpert. “The idea that we should table it is ridiculous. It’s been studied, 80 out of 92 counties have similar ordinances. We had insurance carriers look over it for safety issues and they came back saying it’s low risk on the insurance side. We are also having the highway department make signs to let people know that this will be going on. The safety issue is bogus. When you have 10,000 bicycles coming down here every day, that feels more unsafe than ATVs. The room was packed, 90 percent or more were in favor, which is the opposite of what it was when it was originally brought up 16 years ago. This is the generic way of giving citizens what they asked for. There’s always something that we do that will get push back from a few people. I’ve decided to stop worrying about it, if there’s something in favor for the county overall I’m OK with having to deal with a few squeaky wheels.”
The ordinance will allow people to ride ATVs, ORVs and snowmobiles on county roads and highways other than State Roads 46, 135 and 45. When entering or crossing a county road they must cross at a right angle.
Operators must be 18 years and older and legally allowed by the state of Indiana to operate an ORV. The vehicle must be registered with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles before it will be permitted on Brown County roads. The off-road vehicle must be equipped with decals from the BMV, headlights, taillights and a working muffler.
“I am as concerned about safety as anyone,” Commissioner Jerry Pittman said. “Life is full of risks. We make choices everyday. There is always a risk and reward element in those choices. Horrible accidents happen everyday with any kind of vehicular movement. This is a freedom-loving country and I want to allow as much of it as possible and prudent. Many of the arguments against this ordinance are based on misunderstanding and conjecture. The facts prove otherwise. Noise, trespassing and irresponsible behavior will happen by some who choose to do so. I will not penalize the good, law-abiding citizens of Brown County because of a few irresponsible people. I am very comfortable with the future of this ordinance. Only time will tell if this was a good decision.”
Pittman said that the subject has been in play since before he became commissioner 14 years ago and that while there was no clear consensus in the past, he wanted to consider it one more time because of the current support.
