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Noise and Trailer Parking Ordinances Rescinded
(posted August 12)
There was no response from the ABATE motorcycle riders gathered in town hall when the Speedway Town Council
voted to rescind proposed ordinances 1119 and 1120. Ordinance 1119 would
have given law enforcement the ability to fine drivers for engine revving;
1120 prohibited motorcycle trailers from parking on the streets during
the MOTO GP Race.
The council received criticism that the proposed ordinances would give
"conflicting messages" to motorcycle race fans riding into town
for the MOTO GP on September 14. The council rescinded them before second
reading at the August 11 meeting. The council wasted no time in withdrawing
the ordinances. Vice-President Eileen Fisher pushed the proposed ordinances
from their sixth and seventh spots on the agenda to the top of the list,
prior to public comments.
After the vote, Abate Executive Director Jay Jackson thanked the council
for their actions and offered to work with them if issues arise after the
September 14 race. Councilor Bill Suffel said the ordinances need to be
addressed after the event to see what issues develop.
Resident Judy Perfetto regretted that the council shied away from passing
the ordinances. She thought the ordinances were necessary to give law enforcement
tools to control the "idiots" on motorcycles that cause problems,
especially when they are under the influence of alcohol. She said the prohibition
of trailer parking was necessary to keep the streets clear for emergency
vehicles. She told the ABATE riders that ordinances were not meant to be
an "attack" against motorcycle riders, but a tool to maintain
safety.
Councilor Jeff Hartman said the current race parking restrictions would
prohibit much of the problems with trailers parked on the streets.
The council passed ordinance 1121 but did not raise the 30 cents per 100
square feet parking fee for lots over 7/8 of an acre. The ordinance also
holds the landowner or the property's lessee responsible for nuisances
created by the fans they park.
Councilor Lu Hillmer informed the public that her homeowner's insurance
policy would not cover the liability if she accepted money for parking
because it would be considered a business. She encouraged homeowners to
add a rider to their policy.
She initially objected to holding the property owner liable when the nuisance
was caused by the invited fan, but later agreed with other council members
by voting 4-0. Gary Raikes was absent.
The Abate riders left during the meeting. Their revving engines became
a distraction during the meeting.
Hillmer quipped "Judy, would you go outside and tell them to be quiet."
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