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Council grapples with golf cart regulations




BUCKEYE LAKE – Resident Buddy Alford was shocked to learn he couldn’t drive his golf cart on Ohio 79 through the village, even though it is fully road licensed and the Buckeye Lake Police cleared it for road use.

Last month, council approved an ordinance prohibiting golf carts – even licensed carts – from driving on any village road with a 35 miles per hour speed limit or more.

Golf carts are also not allowed on public sidewalks or walking paths, and they must be registered with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, like any car or motorcycle.

“I don’t think it’s right,” said Alford, adding that the village okayed his cart for street use and he paid all required fees, including license fees, to drive his golf cart in the village. He said he owns property in Ashville, OH, where he owns a golf cart as well. There, he said, he can drive it in 35 miles per hour zones. “You guys are trying to pull the rug out from under me, and I don’t think it’s right,” said Alford during council’s Monday night meeting.

Council President Jeryne Peterson said council adopted an ordinance prohibiting golf carts from traveling on Ohio 79. “We also stated that any golf cart can’t be on a route with 35 miles per hour or higher,” she said. “(Ohio 79) is a state route. The speed limit through the village is 35.”

“So, you’re saying I can’t drive on 79,” said Alford.

“Correct,” said Peterson. He can cross Ohio 79 in his cart, but not drive down it. She said the ordinance was passed for safety reasons. Ohio 79 is a busy road. “Somebody’s going to get hurt,” said Peterson.

Alford said he paid $5,000 for his gold cart, which is entirely road legal.

“I can’t argue this with you now,” said Peterson. “It’s the law now.”

“What would stop me from running five miles per hour with my car up and down the road,” said Alford.

“Probably a police officer,” said Peterson.

Council member Arletta Ruton said the village has to abide by state highway laws.

Alford said the state issued him a license and he already had the police inspect his golf cart. He said the police told him he could get a license for his cart and drive it on the road. “I can take this cart anywhere in the state of Ohio,” said Alford.

“We didn’t take any of your rights away,” said Peterson.

“Yes, you did,” said Alford. “You took away my right to drive on 79.”

Peterson disagreed, saying the law prohibits anyone from driving a golf cart on Ohio 79 through Buckeye Lake.

Frustrated, Alford left Monday night’s meeting saying, “I’m taking my golf cart down 79.”

Later in the meeting, Mayor Clay Carroll said the village’s golf cart ordinance is based on those of other communities and he said other places have the stipulation that golf cart’s cannot drive through 35 miles per hour or higher zones. The only option would be to lower the Ohio 79 speed limit to 25. “Our insurance company would love us to lower the speed limit to 25. If we went to 25 (residents and motorists) would faint,” he said. Carroll added that the village hasn’t been issuing citations to golf carts and other “under speed vehicles” as owners become familiar with the ordinance, but he said it’s probably time to begin issuing warnings and citations.

Police Chief James Hanzey agreed it’s dangerous for golf carts to travel Ohio 79. “Somebody is eventually going to get run over,” he said. Hanzey said it’s completely illegal to drive garden tractors on village roads, although people sometimes do. He said the village ordinance about banning golf carts from 35 miles per hour zones supercedes anything documented in the Ohio Revised Code.

Millersport Police Chief Mark Consolo said golf carts may operate on any Millersport village street as long as the driver is licensed and the cart is insured and meets all State of Ohio regulations tor on a one year contract. Two supplemental contracts were approved:

• Ed Mattox, co-varsity assistant football coach; and

• Tommy Brown, co-varsity assistant football coach.

The meeting was Mathews’ last regular board meeting. Board president John Hutton said, “I can’t say enough about Paul as our superintendent. He has gone above and beyond. I couldn’t ask for anymore as a superintendent.”

“I had great people to work with over the years,” Mathews replied. “There is a reason yo stay someplace for so long…I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had here.”

Mathews later acknowledged that incoming Superintendent Todd Osborn is facing some significant staff changes. “I’m excited about some of the folks we’ve hired, It’s going to be a great year,” he said.

The board’s next regular meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 11, at the district office behind the elementary school. Board members anticipate at least one special meeting to hire a new high school math teacher.



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