Dunkirk considers carts

DUNKIRK - Golf carts and semi-trucks may be on a collision course.

In responding to suggestions from residents, Dunkirk city council members are considering eliminating city street restrictions for golf cart traffic, as long as the operators are 16 or older and have a valid driver's license.

Council members had previously been considering a golf cart ordinance proposal which would have made it illegal to drive the carts on Ind. 167 (Main Street) as well as several heavily traveled city streets such as West Pleasant Street, South Angle Street, Highland Avenue and Haskell Road. These are all streets used by semi-trucks - especially Haskell Road near the Saint-Gobain Containers plant.

At Monday night's council meeting, city attorney William Hinkle was instructed to revise the proposed ordinance to eliminate references to all the city streets, with the exception of Main Street (Ind. 167).

If the revised ordinance is approved it would require that city and state traffic laws be obeyed, and a slow moving vehicle sign displayed on the back of each cart.

Some residents, living on the east side of Haskell Road and elsewhere reportedly questioned how they could get to the Dunkirk Junior League baseball diamonds in Dunkirk City Park if they could not drive down Haskell Road on their golf carts.

"We've got to figure how to get them through town," Mayor Ron Hunt said.

Some residents at Monday's meeting suggested that perhaps the police could look the other way when it came to enforcing laws prohibiting golf carts from operating on certain city streets, as long as they were being driven safely. However, when asked for his opinion, Dunkirk Police Chief Dane Mumbower said, "I think it could turn into a problem." The chief later added, "Personally, I think it's a traffic concern."

Councilman Chuck Rife said he disagreed with the concept of allowing golf carts to mix with regular traffic and described it as a "silly idea."

"I can't believe we're dealing with this."

Councilman Tom Johnson who originally introduced the golf cart proposal, said he was concerned about the prospect of allowing them to be driven on Haskell Road which is a major truck route. "That's an accident waiting to happen," Johnson said.

Councilman Craig Faulkner suggested tabling the issue for further study. However, following more discussion council members decided to have Hinkle rewrite the proposed ordinance, eliminating all references to city streets.

Council members said they planned to continue their golf cart deliberations at the next city council meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9 in city hall.

In other business Monday night, clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said she has been asked by several residents why the police department's K-9 vehicle, donated by Hartford City in August, is being used despite the fact the city doesn't have a police dog.

Kesler said the residents are claiming the K-9 unit was to be funded through donations and not city funds.

Hartford City police donated a used squad car for Dunkirk's canine unit last August and residents have seen it being driven as a patrol vehicle and parked at the home of city patrolman Bobby Johnson, Kesler reported.

Police Chief Dane Mumbower said car had been used on regular patrol duty to test-drive the vehicle, and the gasoline was paid for from the regular police department gasoline budget line item.

Mumbower requested the names of the residents asking the questions.

This prompted more than a half an hour of discussion and debate which ranged from the current status of the canine fund-raising drive which was started in February to whether or not a police dog was necessary or a luxury for the department.

Mumbower said the department wanted to use a trained dog for drug detection as well as tracking purposes. He said the fund-raising efforts were intended to cover the costs of purchasing the dog and paying for training expenses, but normal day-to-day operating expenses could come from the police department budget.

Councilman Craig Faulkner asked Kesler to check the tape recording of the special Feb. 5 council meeting where the dog project was approved. Faulkner requested that Kesler transcribe that tape for the full council to review, especially since two new council members had been appointed since that time.

"I don't understand anybody's opposition to enforcement of illegal drug laws," Mumbower said.

As the debate continued, resident Pam Bunch questioned whether this issue and the use of the K-9 unit vehicle had become more controversial because the proposed canine officer was Johnson, the mayor's son-in-law, and the car was being kept at Johnson's house.

"I don't want people thinking I'm doing something I'm not supposed to be doing," Mumbower said, prior to the discussion being tabled, pending an opportunity for the entire council to review the Feb. 5 meeting transcript.

Also at Monday night's meeting council members:

•Heard Fire Chief Farrel Wells report that he has now received two quotes on installing an emergency generator at the new fire station. He said a recent power outage at the station disrupted radio communications and prevented the bay doors from opening. Wells said he has also contacted the Jay County Commissioners and they have agreed to split the cost of the low quote which totals approximately $7,150. Jay Emergency Medical Services shares the building with the Dunkirk Fire Department.

•Noted that the street department will be picking up leaves this week. There will probably be two or three days scheduled in November, as well. In anticipation of the leaf pickup dates, residents will be asked to rake their leaves to the street, along the curbs. Residents may contact the Dunkirk street department at (765) 768-7176 for more information.

•Heard an update about plans to improve conditions at the city dog pound and hire a new animal control officer or possibly contract for the service with Critter Control, a private firm located near Pennville.

•Noted that Trick or Treat hours on Halloween are 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.[[In-content Ad]]