Road rules may be tricky (07/21/2008)

Regulating the roads probably isn't going to be so simple.

The Jay County Commissioners were looking last week for a way to define what non-licensed vehicles can use the roads and what safety devices will be needed. The commissioners expressed concern last Monday as to how people were operating vehicles like golf carts or four wheelers on local roads.

Commissioner Gary Theurer mentioned again this morning that he thinks use of golf carts and ATVs on roads will need to be addressed.

Attorney Lon Racster researched other county and state ordinances covering the topic and returned this morning with a pile of papers with ordinances all over the board.

Although the commissioners were hoping to find a common pattern to mold to Jay County, they were left with a muddled idea of how to approach the problem.

"It's scattered all over everywhere," Racster said as he began explanations.

Most of the problems with current ordinances in other areas was defining the vehicles to a point and then mandating what was legal or illegal.

With ordinances that seemed to define a vehicle by what it isn't, Racster said it would put a burden on police trying to enforce the codes since they would have to gather copious amounts of information and try to match it up to the law.

The discouraging background information left the commissioners at a crossroads on how to proceed, facing the same definition and enforcement woes as the sample ordinances.

"We have to pick and choose what we want," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.

"It's going to be a mess," said commissioner Faron Parr.

Racster suggested a new ordinance could cover "all unlicensed transportation devices," which would blanket over several vehicles in question. He offered to piece together a possible document, but would need direction as to what should be included in a new law.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Discussed purchase of one or more bike racks to put around the courthouse. Bryant resident Jim Spade said he might be able to obtain some bike racks and Miller said the county could purchase those from him if they are in good condition.

•Discussed a letter received asking Jay County to join in a statewide mapping project. The map would connect geographic information system mapping from all counties and make the information available statewide. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is offering $14,894 to cover costs associated with making the data available.

The commissioners discussed the initiative with Jay County Emergency Management Agency director Ralph Frazee. No decision was made this morning whether to participate.

•Received information that the state raised mileage compensation by 4 cents. Jay County has followed the state mileage compensation, but the commissioners took no action to adjust the county's payment as of this morning.

•Received quotes from community corrections director Yvette Weiland for purchase of a new vehicle. Weiland said the department is in a need of another car to make checks on offenders.

The commissioners asked her to check into whether purchasing a new car would make them eligible for a $2.99 gas program offered by Daimler-Chrysler Jeep that could help justify spending a little extra to buy new over used. Weiland said she would look into the issue and return next week with more information.[[In-content Ad]]