Dear Tax Payer: This document is to augment the testimonials being given on behalf of preventing a ban on ATV’s in Wasilla and its surrounding areas. A significant portion of our population has chosen to live in the Valley because of the lifestyle that is available here which is not available in Anchorage. Prominent among these lifestyle choices is the freedom to ride ATVs, snow machines, and horses throughout our communities. Such freedom is a rare thing in today’s world and comes with both good and bad consequences. The good consequences of a tangible nature are contributions to the local economy through ATV/Snow Machine purchases and rentals, fuel, maintenance, and accessibility. The positive consequences of a less tangible nature are the number of people attracted to the Valley because this freedom exists, and the feeling one gets from being able to hop on an atv or snow machine to run to the local market or visit friends. The negative consequence is that you open the door for a few irresponsible riders to do stupid and sometimes dangerous things in public places. Fortunately the irresponsible riders are in the minority. For some reason, the city of Wasilla has decided to jump on the “Ban-Wagon”, rather than to act responsibly and attach consequences and enforcement to resolving the problems. This type of reaction is often found when an individual or a small group of individuals have a personal axe to grind…it is easier for them to get what they want by promoting a ban, and an inaccurate representation of the actual problem. It is my hope that we, the tax payers of Wasilla, are not allowing ourselves to be led by such people. A far better solution to banning, and one that will also raise revenue for the city of Wasilla (if the problem is as big as they seem to think), is education and enforcement. Put reasonable laws in place, and then enforce them. Make the fines steep, be strict, and enforce. Patrol the areas where riders are most problematic. Ban dangerous behavior, excessive speed, jumping driveways, etc. Require all atvs and snow machines that ride within the city limits to be registered. Steep fines for nuisance behavior, and fines plus vehicle confiscation for dangerous behavior. Spread the word in our schools; make it known what is dangerous and what is not, and the consequences of acting irresponsibly. Taylor the law to specific areas (20 miles per hour in residential areas, no driveway jumping, non-motorized vehicles and pedestrians always have the right away, must stop at any and all crossings with or without a stop sign etc) These methods remove the necessity for banning, and allow the people who cause the problem to pay for the problem. Every atv and snow machine consumes fuel. They pay at the pump for this fuel, and only a minor amount of the fuel is burned within the city or on the road system. This means that their fuel tax is going toward maintaining our roads and bike paths. Use some of that tax to maintain wheeler and snow machine trails. If dust is a problem, use the money to add gravel or spray the trails, to keep dust down in the areas that it is problematic. If enforcement is an issue, use the funds to enforce. The choices our city servants make do affect you. Do we want to be just like Anchorage? Is that why we live here? Do we want to remove one of the few freedoms we still have that provides a unique and attractive lifestyle, or do we want to keep the freedom and resolve the problem? Better to use common sense, strict enforcement and generate revenue, than to default to ban. Thomas Hannam (907) 775-1880
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:47:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015