Marshal proposes ordinances, changes in vehicle violations

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

ROACHDALE -- Town marshal Mike Mahoy presented proposed ordinances and changes to vehicle violation fees at the town's monthly board meeting Tuesday.

The changes would apply to violations within town limits and are pending review by town attorney Jim Ensley and will be discussed at next month's meeting.

The proposed new fines would include the following revisions:

Moving violations: driver's license not present, $50; failure to signal or yield, $50; following too closely, $50, improper passing, $50; improper turn, $50, unsafe start, $50.

Current moving violation fees also maintain a $50 fine for disregarding local speed limits. The proposed changes would classify fines by how much over the speed limit the driver was driving: 1-10 mph over limit, $50; 11-15 mph over limit, $65; 16-20 mph over limit, $75; 21 to 25 mph over limit, $100; 26 mph and over the limit, $125.

Non-moving violations currently include no parking where posted and unlawful parking in an alley, both of which carry $50 fines.

Proposed additions would also carry $50 fines, with the exception of a $25 seatbelt violation, and include abandoned vehicle, equipment violation, expired plates, expired driver's license and littering from vehicle.

Ordinance violations, which now carry a $25 fine for loose or not contained pets and a $10 required animal tag penalty, would also include a $50 fine for littering.

It was also reported the storm sewer repair project on Washington and Walnut streets was successful.

In other news, the town approved its 2011 budget, which stands at $662,580 and voted to table approving the salaries of town employees until its next monthly board meeting.

The board also approved trick or treating time for between 6 and 8 p.m. for Saturday, Oct. 30.

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  • Mahoy "Are you kidding me"! Following too closley- unsafe start-Improper turn.... You obviously need more to do in your town... It is sad that Roachdale used to be a vibrant town with festivals and such... Now it looks like a ghost town with more business closing down and such... Are you trying to drive everybody out. I think Mahoy is thinking he has more power than he should! Mabye Mahoy should just make up his own set of rules that would apply to Roachdale only and forget about rules already written for years by the government already.

    -- Posted by Innocent on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 8:34 AM
  • Good job Mike. If this is approved then make sure you use it. Indiana St. would make alot of money for speeding violations as well as US 236.

    -- Posted by jakeboy on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 9:32 AM
  • Innocent-

    Are you aware that rules and regulations are in place to protect you? Do you realize that there are rules out there that many people don't like and don't agree with? If you weren't in the Town of Roachdale, and committed any of those offenses mentioned above, you would still have to pay, it would just be someone else.

    Well, you need to face the fact that the town is putting rules in place, and going to place a fine for those rules that are broken.

    Fortunately, with the fines collected, the town is going to be able to keep that money in the town. It isn't going to be distributed to the State, and Roachdale not see a dime of it.

    Therefore, the negative comments against Roachdale are not needed. Check other towns within the state and you will find that they have town ordinances, fines, and rules in place to protect the residents of that town. Roachdale isn't doing anything out of the ordinary. In fact, they are actually updating and improving the town by exploring other, and better options. Sorry if you don't like it, but it is what is best for the town.

    -- Posted by bugdrvr1970 on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 9:48 AM
  • I think this is great for Roachdale. I would much rather see the money going back to the town instead of the state. I am sure that they will still write some state tickets as well, but the fines for the town are a lot less than the state ones! Be happy that Marshal Mahoy is doing something good for the town. Sounds as if Innocent has had to deal with Marshal Mahoy and does not like him! Glad to see Mahoy stepping on toes. Oh and I don't think he is running people off, I think he is just doing his job and some do not like it!

    -- Posted by RDALERESIDENT on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 10:26 AM
  • Why are so many giving Mike a rough time?

    -- Posted by floyd'srangerriders on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 11:54 AM
  • I don't know Mike nor do I live in Rdale, but if you honestly think any increase in town funds by any means will be used for the good of the town I would really like to live in your fantasy land.

    -- Posted by worrieddaddy on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 1:31 PM
  • How does writing traffic tickets close a business?

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Wed, Oct 13, 2010, at 1:34 PM
  • At least Mike Mahoy doesn't try to parade this as an improvement of public safety. Traffic laws have nothing to do with public safety. Mahoy, like all law enforcement are simply tax collectors. These fines are simply another means to put money in the hands of people that think they know what is best for everyone else. Laws and fines have never increased safety. You are the only one that can increase your safety. It isn't anyone's responsibility but yours. The more control you give any municipality, the more they are going to take.

    -- Posted by Greenhole on Sat, Oct 16, 2010, at 11:21 PM
  • Why not just charge everyone $50 dollars to enter your town limits and be done with it?

    -- Posted by Blindside on Sun, Oct 17, 2010, at 8:59 AM
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