Bainbridge looking at golf cart ordinance

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bainbridge town council members reviewed a draft of an ordinance to regulate golf cart usage in town.

The ordinance will allow the use of golf carts on the streets and alleys of the town of Bainbridge with the exception of S.R. 36. It defines a golf cart as a four-wheeled motor vehicle designed to transport one or more individuals and golf clubs for the purpose of playing the game of golf on a golf course.

Any carts operated in Bainbridge must display either a slow moving vehicle emblem or a red or amber flashing lamp. Drivers must have a valid driver's license and proof of liability and financial responsibility.

Violations of the ordinance will result in a fine of $250 for the first offense and $500 for subsequent violations.

Council members asked city attorney Jim Ensley to add that the carts must have headlights and tail lights, follow all traffic rules and regulations, and be properly seated in a seat with no body parts extended outside the cart.

The first reading of the ordinance will take place at the next town council meeting.

Board members also approved beginning street repairs on Locust Street. Bid for the work is approximately $21,000. The project includes replacing curbs and gutters and resurfacing the street.

Town Marshal Rodney Fenwick reported that the Fourth of July weekend was a quiet one compared to other towns. He told the group in his activity report that 48 traffic stops were made last month and that most of the abandoned vehicles in town have been removed from the town's streets.

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  • OH my goodness another ordinance. Do they not have anything better to do. I did love the Quote "most of the abandoned vehicles in town have been removed from the town's streets." The town board has decided for us that cars THEY deem abandoned even if on the owners property can be towed legally by the town and or its representives. Color me stupid but they are using what they have twisted to be a law that states all vehicles in the town should be deemed road worthy by indiana law's guidelines. But if you were to read the Statutes that they have used in their ordinance you would find that all they have to do is run and drive. Nothing in there about legal tags etc. So that was all a sham and a way to bully the town folk into getting rid of their cars. Hey got a question Ms. Osbornes car sure looks abandoned to me. Hmmm what? its on her property oh then that makes it not abandoned..I let you know one thing you come on my property and STEAL anything and you WILL goto jail. Period! Town Cop, or State Cop. No one finds in wierd that the new meter reader is a cop. and he doesnt even look for the meter on the right side of the houses. He is looking for a case albeit a ordinance violation or a criminal. That seems like trespassing if he is using that job to snoop at your stuff.. or your wife as one resident had happen to her. no names ....

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 4:00 PM
  • Oh My Goodness

    Please check your facts before you post

    -- Posted by fact_checker on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 4:15 PM
  • Fact checker all you do is bad mouth other peoples comments. Get a life loser!!!

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Thu, Jul 9, 2009, at 6:19 PM
  • Hmmm which fact would you like me to check. The law , ordinance or the town board>?

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 6:02 AM
  • Oh My Goodness I did some checking of my own and you need to go to the town hall and read the vehicle ordinance because you have no idea what you are talking about get your facts straght!! I also question Mrs. Osborn and her vehicle is legally plated will start right up and is legal to drive immediately on the highway, therefore not abandonned!! I was told state legislature is the reason they are confronting the whole golf cart issue, don't know but no reason not to believe them!!! Don't know about the whole state trooper thing but I personally know him and really don't think he is looking at peoples wives!!

    -- Posted by Cougars on Fri, Jul 10, 2009, at 9:00 AM
  • I am guessing you are missing the point here. The ordinace allows for them to take a vehicle off your personal property if they DEEM it is abandoned. they deem any car or truck abandoned If it does not meet the guidlines set forth in Indiana law to be considered road worthy, again by their ordinance can be on your property and they can remove it. Here is the states definition of an abandoned Vehicle.

    IC 9-13-2-1

    Abandoned vehicle

    Sec. 1. "Abandoned vehicle" means the following:

    (1) A vehicle located on public property illegally.

    (2) A vehicle left on public property without being moved for twenty-four (24) hours.

    (3) A vehicle located on public property in such a manner as to constitute a hazard or obstruction to the movement of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on a public right-of-way.

    (4) A vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of that property for more than forty-eight (48) hours.

    (5) A vehicle from which the engine, transmission, or differential has been removed or that is otherwise partially dismantled or inoperable and left on public property.

    (6) A vehicle that has been removed by a towing service or public agency upon request of an officer enforcing a statute or an ordinance other than this chapter if the impounded vehicle is not claimed or redeemed by the owner or the owner's agent within twenty (20) days after the vehicle's removal.

    (7) A vehicle that is at least three (3) model years old, is mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than twenty (20) days. For purposes of this subdivision, a vehicle covered by a tarpaulin or other plastic, vinyl, rubber, cloth, or textile covering is considered to be visible.

    Hmmm most of it is about Public property , not my property. Further more if you do not move said vehicle on your property every 30 days they deem it abandoned as well, running or not. Look that one up, as for the town hall please they are the idiots that came up with the ordinance.. This Isnt Carmel Mr treasurer/clerk. Sorry I missed the last poker game. Busy fighting the ordinance.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sat, Jul 11, 2009, at 7:10 AM
  • I think it is a great idea to control the golf carts. They seem to think they don't have to obey traffic laws like cars??? I have seen youngsters driving them around town. Common sense is all it takes people and it seems a lot in this little town have a lack of.

    I personally like the fact that my property looks good and am happy there are no multiple vehicles, or junk yards around trashing the town.

    As far as th meter reader, I applied for the job and obviously didn't get it. However, I have seen nothing wrong in his work.

    -- Posted by bearcat on Sun, Jul 12, 2009, at 10:46 AM
  • How hard exactly is it to read a meter. I too agree with the wanting to have a nice yard etc. But I think they cross the line when the can make an ordinance that is unjust and think they can sit back and take your rights away one at a time. As for the meter reader if he stubbles across something that maybe you should have or shouldnt be doing then I guess it is on you then, but of course all of us here are angels, I am on the other hand a firm believer in my rights and my property. You should mess with either one.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sun, Jul 12, 2009, at 6:55 PM
  • Oh My Goodness

    Please check your facts before you post

    -- Posted by fact_checker on Sat, Jul 18, 2009, at 8:51 AM
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