Cart ordinance careens off agenda

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March 2, 2006

By ROD ROSE/The Lebanon Reporter The Lebanon Reporter Thu Mar 02, 2006, 10:45 AM EST

Lebanon — A golf cart control ordinance skidded off the city council’s agenda Monday after running into daylight-saving time.

The ordinance, up for final reading, would allow golf carts only on city streets during daylight hours, among other restrictions. After lengthy discussion, the council voted to table a vote until its 7:30 p.m. March 13 meeting.

Last July, a “great influx of golf carts” flooded the city after someone rented dozens of them to residents.

Police said reckless use of the carts led to “innumerable complaints” during the Fourth of July celebration.

State law bans golf carts from streets, but City Attorney Larry Giddings interprets the law to mean golf carts are allowed on roads not maintained by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Police Chief Tom Garoffolo said he just wanted some guidance for his officers.

“We, as a department, just want a clear direction in which to turn; we want something clearly set-out,” Garoffolo said Monday.

The committee that wrote the ordinance wanted to allow golf carts on some streets only between dawn and dusk.

Councilman Steve Large said he’s heard from cart owners who want extended hours, so they can ride to and from golf courses. “I’ve not had one comment against golf carts,” Large said.

The only comment she’s received, said Councilwoman Emmadell Sturgis, “was totally against golf carts on the streets at all.”

Sturgis was a member of the committee that wrote the ordinance.

“We thought dawn to dusk was specific enough,” Sturgis said.

Mayor Jim Acton said, “You have to keep in mind is that, other than if you change the time, (during) daylight-saving time, there will be an extra hour of daylight.”

Councilman Jim Messenger said some people would drive carts “as early as 7 a.m. in that summer time frame.”

Blake Wilson, the golf pro at Ulen Country Club, said the council should consider “month by month” hours.

Wilson said the country club would like its members exempt from the golf cart ordinance, or “ ... to see the restrictions broadened a lot, at least for Ulen members,” he said.

During the summer, some Ulen members who have driven to the course on a cart and finish a round in late afternoon or early evening stay to eat dinner, Wilson said

“It’s a business issue for us,” he said. “If they have to be home by 8 o’clock they might not come back to eat dinner,” he said.

Several citizens lobbied for the right to drive cars after dark.

Tim Cote, who is wheelchair-bound, said he uses a golf cart “to get places.” His cart has taillights, headlights, side lights and flashers, he said. “I can’t get a license; no way,” Cote said.

Kathy Anderson said her husband, who is disabled, uses a golf cart to get around their neighborhood. “I don’t see any problem,” she said. “He’s not hurting anybody.” Her husband does have a driver’s license, she said.

Sonny Richardson, who had told the council in January he’d spent $1,500 to put lights, turn and brake signals and other accessories on his cart, wanted the time stretched to 11 p.m.

“It saddens my heart there are a bunch of yahoos out there who are causing problems for law abiding citizens,” Richardson said.

A city ordinance must be passed twice before it becomes law. On Feb. 14, the golf cart restrictions passed the first reading, 4-3. Ordinances can be modified at the second reading.

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