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<br />PAGE 4A - -;-;;;;;- - . ----- - --
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<br />:, New trr1UlccOC policy s]ffi(Q)1Ulndl
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<br />City Councilman John Longley is now propos-
<br />ing passage of a truck ordinance that classifies
<br />truck and trailer equipment and outlaws
<br />specific parking violations of such equipment.
<br />The ordinance Longley and fellow Coun-
<br />cilman Ed Matuszak endorse, would prohibit
<br />parking of ranch trailers on residentially zoned
<br />lots of less thalli 20,000 square feet.
<br />Commercial vehicles, 'pole trailers, semi-
<br />trailers, shipping containers, trailers, trucks or
<br />truck tractors other than a light truck or ranch
<br />trailer will not -!be allowed to park on "any pro-
<br />perties zoned for single:-family or multi-family
<br />residential use under the applicable zoning or-
<br />. dinance" of the city.
<br />Class C zoned! commercial and multi-family
<br />property is also included in the ordinance.
<br />If the ordilUllnce is adopted in its present
<br />form, citizens would be prohibited "to leave,
<br />stand, or park a trailer, semi-trailer, pole-
<br />trailer, ranch trailer, or truck tractor, either a t-
<br />tached or unattached to a motor vehicle, on the
<br />public streets of the city for a period of time in
<br />excess of four hours." .
<br />Truck terminals would only be allowed to
<br />park in areas "directly adjacent to the right of
<br />way of the truck routes specifically
<br />designated. "
<br />. Citizens found guilty of violating the or-
<br />dinance if adopted, would be a misdemeanor
<br />resulting in a fine not to ~xceed $200.
<br />City council is divided on the issue of the
<br />truck ordinance. Councilpersons Kevin Graves,
<br />B. Don Skelton and Linda Westergren have
<br />taken stands against the ordinance' as proposed
<br />by Longley and vehemently supported by
<br />Matuszak.
<br />As is the case with any constituency,
<br />
<br />.
<br />,
<br />
<br />passage. of legislation will not be popular with
<br />everyon~, but will (or should) be in the best in-
<br />
<br />terest of the majority.
<br />However, this latest proposed legislation is
<br />not in the best interest of the majority of La
<br />Porte citizens. Skelton best summed the impact
<br />of the ordinance when he said citizens were be-
<br />ing set up for prosecution if the ordinance was
<br />adopted.
<br />Understandably, council is concerned, as are
<br />the residents of La Porte, in keeping the city a
<br />desirable place to live and work. And, yes,
<br />parking of certain truck and trailer equipment
<br />is an eyesore and a danger in certain parts of
<br />the city.
<br />The proposed ordinance, however, appears to
<br />be based on too Iittl~ research and too little
<br />citizen input. Apparently, a small group of
<br />citizens had a big hand in suggesting restric-
<br />tions for the entire community. The concern is,
<br />if a few citizens are involved in such a project, a
<br />citywide citizen input should be allowed before
<br />an ordinance is written in its final form and
<br />brought before council for a vote. '
<br />
<br />What would appear to be good intentions has.
<br />resulted in a heated division between city coun-
<br />cil members and a great majority of residents.
<br />Content of the ordinance is extremely impor-
<br />tant. However, as some people know too well,
<br />it's the precedent being set in this case that _
<br />clouds the intent of the legi~lation.
<br />
<br />Governing bodies have the responsibility to
<br />meet the needs of their constituencies with ac-
<br />tion best suited for the majority, but more im-
<br />portantly, in a manner conducive to established
<br />protocol of the American system.
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