City faced with golf cart issue

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Greencastle residents feeling the pinch from rising gasoline prices are starting to consider more economical methods of transportation. But we're not talking about bicycles here.

City council members learned Tuesday night that some residents have actually contacted city hall to ask about driving golf carts in and around town.

This has forced city officials to take a serious look at whether allowing the use of these vehicles on city streets is first and foremost legal, but more importantly, safe.

Mayor Sue Murray said other cities around the country are dealing with the same issue as citizens get more desperate to save money on fuel.

For Murray, the issue that stands out in her mind is safety.

"You have large trucks traveling on our highways and golf carts aren't the fast-moving vehicles," she said after Tuesday night's city council meeting.

City attorney Laurie Hardwick said she may have a proposal for an ordinance to bring to next month's council meeting.

So far, city officials have not said whether they would actually consider allowing people to use their golf carts to drive around town, but they agree there needs to be some type of language regarding the use of these types of vehicles on the books.

The mayor says the city is just beginning to investigate the issue at this time.

In other business, the council received a briefing on the recent heavy rains that blanketed the city with several inches of rain.

One issue that has arisen from the recent deluge is neighbors dumping water on their neighbors.

The city attorney reminded council members that it is illegal for residents to run hoses or pipes or use any other method to release water from their property to their neighbor's property.

It is also illegal, she said, for homeowners to connect their downspouts to the sanitary sewer. Logistically, it is difficult for the city to enforce this standard, the attorney added.

Utilities Superintendent George Russell told the council that the city has received complaints of residents having sewage back up into their basements.

He said residents are sometimes to blame because they connect the downspouts to the sewer lines, which causes an excess amount of water.

The city attorney added that in some cases, the city is at fault for back-ups and that an investigation would have to determine that.

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  • We do not need golf carts on city streets.

    -- Posted by localman on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 5:59 AM
  • I see an accident in the making.

    -- Posted by suzieQue on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 6:31 AM
  • Mopeds,scooters,golfcarts,heck why not alow motorized skateboards... Maybe even a jogger or two in the fast lane. I'm all for saving gas money,but seriously,safety is the priority .Shuttle buses,public transit are a viable idea.

    -- Posted by honestyisbestpolicy on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 7:30 AM
  • They should have just said, NO. Is this all we have to talk about and discuss. Whether to allow golf carts on our city streets. Will they be required to buy license plates and insurance for these so-called vehicles. Can't wait to get behind one of these in the middle of town. And god forbid a semi gets behind one and can't stop. Think about it. Is this what we are paying our city and county officials for? And let's stop that ridiculous street sweeper. How can ANYONE justify that?

    -- Posted by cty-govt-a-muck on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 7:52 AM
  • Allow the golf carts in alley ways and back streets. Keep them off of the main arteries where semi's are allowed. Have a little compassion, they are trying to get around the best/cheapest way they can. It will be years before public transportation is approved. People need immediate relief from gas prices.

    -- Posted by mal on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 9:21 AM
  • Why not buy a "smart" car? They are great on gas (similar to a golf cart) and you are still protected like a car.

    -- Posted by rockymtngirl on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 10:14 AM
  • I think it is a good idea for people to drive golf carts as long as they have a Driver License. there are scooters on the streets with no License. now that makes sense.Need to get those people off the streets!

    -- Posted by victory on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 10:45 AM
  • Maybe everyone should follow suit? Golf carts, scooters, bikes whatever! We are all in one way or another going to be effected by the rise in gas prices...Just because you havent felt the crunch yet and I do mean YET doesnt mean others havent... And besides, arent the semi's "suppose" to be using Veteran's Highway? I thought that was why the road-way was put in in the first place? It is what it is! Times are tough and I feel everyone is just doing their best to cut cost and make ends meet where ever they can!!!

    -- Posted by thistownsucks on Wed, Jun 11, 2008, at 10:49 AM
  • I have a golf cart and although I don't drive it on the streets much I would still

    like to use it for my leisure. There was a

    article in the paper last year, (which I still have) stating that if we have a slow moving vehicle emblem and a flashing light

    we were allowed to drive them on the streets!!! But you no, one person will ruin

    it for everyone...

    -- Posted by Iamforgiven on Thu, Jun 12, 2008, at 8:00 AM
  • come on people, this isn't a bad idea. has anybody noticed how long it takes u to get from oneside of town to the other now? i think my average speed is about 15mph thru town and top speed might hit 22mph. that semi that cant stop, will probably smash anything in front of it...motorcycle, bicycle, car or even that unlucky golfcart.

    i think they should stay within any area that has a speed limit of 30mph or less.

    they will need proper lighting and turn signals (street legal).

    lets quit making the oil and gas people so rich. they are making the most rediculous profits in the history of money.

    i have been riding my motorcycle rain or shine to work. i only work in cloverdale but it saves about $6 a day. that really adds up over time. couldnt imagine the gas bill for people working in indy.

    we all need to be thinking about other means of transportation for local use. golf carts, mopeds, bikes, electric cars and motorcycles. we all adapt to our surroundings, we will get used to it and we will all hopefully be better off.

    MONEY SAVED IN ONE PLACE CAN BE SPENT IN ANOTHER.

    -- Posted by badboy46120 on Thu, Jun 12, 2008, at 8:17 AM
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