Rogers City citizen doesn?t believe ORVs should be prohibited in city

At the request of Rogers City councilman Gary Nowak, a notice that off-road recreational vehicles are not permitted within the city limits was recently put on cable access channel 12. He made the request to better inform citizens of the ordinance. Jerry Badgero of Oak Street read the notice and was prompted to appear before council members at Monday?s meeting to raise a few questions. Badgero said he uses his ORV to haul leaves, equipment, and other items in a trailer to the Presque Isle County Sportsmen?s Club at the end of Cedar Street, where he helps maintain the facility.

Badgero was disturbed to find out that ?all of a sudden I?m breaking the law. I think this is ridiculous!? The city has an ordinance which follows the state statute prohibiting the use of ORVs, or four-wheelers, on city streets. Mayor Beach Hall said the law was enacted because some people have abused riding privileges and violated the rights of other citizens.

SOMETIMES RIDERS tear up the beaches or cross private property without permission. The issue becomes more complicated when considering that snowmobiles are allowed in Rogers City. There are other motorized vehicles used in Rogers City, such as two-wheel motorized scooters and golf carts. ?People can abuse anything,? said Nowak, during Monday?s discussion.

Any possible amendment to the ordinance will be discussed at a future city staff meeting and brought back before council. Badgero was the only citizen to appear before council. City manager John Bruning and councilman Patrick Lamb were absent from the 19-minute meeting.

IN OTHER matters to come before the council: ? City attorney Mike Vogler is attempting to collect penalties and interest from Oglebay Norton in the tax case which was settled a couple of years ago. There is a legal dispute as to whether the fees are required to be paid. The city contends the company owes slightly over $10,000. According to Vogler, the county

is attempting to collect

$35,000, while Rogers Township has a bill for about $10,000. ? Council members agreed to send letters to area radio stations as they seek a replacement for WVXA, which is currently broadcast as background music for channel 12 announcements. While WVXA will remain on the air from a simulcast feed out of Cincinnati, Ohio, it no longer will have local programming. Council will be looking at changing to a station that provides the most local news and/or programming.

? Nowak made another request of the city manager to receive an estimate for an extension of city services on Larke Street.

? Hall congratulated the Nautical Festival committee, city crews, service organizations, and the countless number of volunteers for making the 2005 festival successful.

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