News

Council may kill obscure ‘scooter’ law


By Trevor Stokes
Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, November 19, 2007 at 11:17 p.m.

FLORENCE - The city council will consider repealing a little-known and hardly enforced ordinance that bans sports, games and wheeled toys from city streets when it meets today.

“It was creating a situation where it was in silly ways making citizens lawbreakers for riding bikes and roller blades,” said Carrier, who is sponsoring the resolution to repeal the ordinance. He notes that under the regulations, a scooter used by individuals who are handicapped would be illegal on Florence streets.

“I don’t think we need a law on the books that makes everyday living illegal. It puts the police in the position where they have to look the other way for exemptions,” Carrier said.

The issue gained attention two weeks ago after Mayor Bobby Irons shelved an amendment that would have banned skateboards from city streets and sidewalks. He is working with the city attorney on an alternative ordinance. Although still in progress, his alternative resolution would define geographically where skateboarding would be restricted.

“Neighborhoods are not what it’s worded for,” Irons said. The main area of concern is downtown, he said.

Both Irons and Carrier said politics are not involved.

“It’s not motivated because I’m running for mayor, it came up when someone else proposed a resolution to ban skateboarding,” Carrier said.

“There’s nothing political about it,” Irons said. The initial measure was intended to keep skateboarding from damaging property and to protect residents, he said.

“That’s a perception that they’re tearing up the concrete, even with the types of wheels that they have,” said Larry Nathan, whose son skateboards.

Nathan said the city skate park near the corner of Cox Creek Parkway and Chisholm Road closes Monday at dark, which these days is around 5:30 p.m. Nathan suggested the park stay open longer and lights be installed, similar to the adjacent tennis courts.


Comments

    Post a comment | View all comments on this topic.
  1. FirenzeVeritas says...
    November 20, 2007 2:45:41 am

    RE: http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20...0/NEWS/71120001/1011

    This is certainly a turn around; however, as to the ordinance in question, does it specifically mention Roller Blade skates as Carrier indicates? Roller Blade is the trademarked name for a type of inline skates.Humor aside, these types of activities do not belong on the sidewalks of Court Street at Noon.

    Report this post

  2. Kindred says...
    November 20, 2007 2:51:56 am

    LOL, FV, I read that!!!

    I think, from reading it, it was mainly dealing with skateboards on sidewalks, but it also meant any "wheeled" items the way it is written.

    The part I found so funny was the part where he claims that this IS NOT because he is running for mayor, it just 'came up', lol!!!

    Report this post

  3. monster says...
    November 20, 2007 2:54:36 am

    He notes that under the regulations, a scooter used by individuals who are handicapped would be illegal on Florence streets. this has nothing to do with power chairs. its just a ploy to re-write a law. power chairs, like rascals, are motorized vehicles. riding a rascal would be no different than riding an ATV or go-cart on the streets. only if it falls under the ADA, would they be legal on streets/sidewalks. the regulation in question deals with human powered recreation/transportation used primarily by young individuals who don't have the ability to vote.

    Report this post

  4. vick13 says...
    November 20, 2007 3:29:42 am

    Hey, those little Scooter chairs are dangerous. This week alone we've had a woman run over a sofa table and break a huge flower display, one run over the wall, and another just ran over a toilet. Tore that baby completely off the floor. Those old people can be scary.

    Report this post

Next Article in Local News

  • One man shares his story of hope, acceptance on World AIDS Day

    One time was all it took.
    The Friday night started out as many do. After a stressful week at work, John headed to a local club to unwind. Only this time, he met someone. They had unprotected sex, and the next morning his partner left, but John...