Fishing in the Dark

Vicki Hood
Posted 6/11/24

I’d like to commend the Guernsey City Council for having the willingness to listen to the citizens who spoke out at a council meeting about the proposed ordinance governing the use of golf …

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Fishing in the Dark

Posted

I’d like to commend the Guernsey City Council for having the willingness to listen to the citizens who spoke out at a council meeting about the proposed ordinance governing the use of golf carts within the city limits. It is my understanding, as long as it passes the remaining reading, those who own golf carts - regardless of whether they golf or not - will remain free to use their carts on the city streets to go to places other than the golf course, including the grocery store, post office, restaurants and pubs to name a few.
The council wisely opted to hold a workshop so that those who wanted to further discuss the issue could do so with the idea that there was good reason to look at the issue further.

I’m really pleased that the council opted to not only listen but to make the changes necessary to the original ordinance that addressed the concerns raised.
Safety was a big consideration as concerns were raised about underage drivers being on the streets in golf carts. But in my estimation that issue has far more to do with who is giving the keys to an underage driver than anything else. “Where” a golf cart is allowed to be used certainly doesn’t address the age of a driver—that is a traffic problem that can be enforced just as it could (and should) be done if someone underage is behind the wheel of a car or on a four-wheeler.
I think most locals consider Guernsey a small town, and as such, taking a golf cart to get your mail or go have a drink with your buddies shouldn’t require all kinds of regulations that do nothing more than encumber the owner with more costs and regulation. There are reasons people like to live in small communities and the extensive and constant regulations that come with big city living are one of them.
I appreciate the consideration that was given by the council to do what they did. If there’s anything we need right now, it’s a willingness by government (no matter how big or small) to work with people, listen to them with an open mind and do what the majority asks them to do. Everybody walks away feeling a whole lot better.