Council may kill obscure ‘scooter’ law

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.