4.2. SR 01-16-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Flurry of frustration over snowmobiles by Susan M.A. Larson Staff writer Lack of law enforcement and lack of enforcement of snowmo- bile laws were the dominant sub- ject at the Otsego City Council meeting Monday. Several residents voiced com- plaints about snowmobilers speeding through city limits and the damage they are causing. They were equally frustrated by the lack of backing of the city snowmobile ordinance by the city council. One resident, Sharon Carter, said, "Every part of the law seems to be broken every day. My first concern is that I don't want to see a child killed. Disregard for private property is another concern." Merlin Bode, Otsego, said the city of Big Lake has banned snowmobiles from city limits and suggested Otsego do the same. The complainants stressed they have no quarrel':~ith the local snowmobile club ~ the Otsego Great River Riders, or the snow- mobilers who follow the rules. Many expressed concern at the lack of law enforcement the city provides (the city has a contract with the Wright County Sheriff's Department to provide law enforcement to the city). Some suggested if the city had its own police department, there might be more enforcement of the city ordinance. Others said what good is having law enforce- ment if the city council doesn't back them up? Jay Swanson, president of the Otsego Great River Riders, also expressed frustration with the "renegade snowmobilers." "I'd like to wring their necks," he said. "And I'd like to take them out with us when we clear the trails so they can see how much work goes into making a trail." According to Swanson, most offenses are being committed between 2-6 p.m., by youth whose parents aren't home. A lot of time, he said, parents don't know their kids are doing this. He advised everyone if they know the offending snowmobil- er, to tell his or her parents. Carol Swanson, secretary of the club, said their group is in the business of educating snow- mobilers. Last month the group held a snowmobile safety course attended by 27 youth. "It also frustrates me to see these abuses, because it jeop- ardizes something I love," she said. According to the Swansons, city ordinance allows snowmo- bilers to ride their sleds to and from a snowmobile trail on the right-hand side of city streets and in platted areas at 10 mph. Current state law reads that anyone born after Dec. 31, 1979, needs safety training and a safe- ty certificate to ride a snowmo- bile. That will be changed next year to anyone born after Dec. 31, 1976. Also, an individual must be a minimum of 14 before he or she can ride a snowmobile without a guardian on state trails, said Swanson. Mayor Larry Fournier suggest- ed a committee be formed from people on "both sides" of the issue to develop a starting point for the city council to find a solu- tion to the problem. Carter agreed a committee is a good idea, "But it goes back to enforcing. We can come up with all the rules we want, but they need enforcing," she said. In the end, 16 residents signed up. The first meeting will be Jan. 18, 7 p.m., at city hall. Council Member Vern Heidner will act as liaison for the group.