As Cook County commissioners prepared to consider the county’s ordinance governing allterrain vehicle (ATV) use on county roads, Commissioner Bruce Martinson sought feedback from the townships in his commissioner district. The primary purpose for the public hearing on the ordinance is to decide whether or not to make the ordinance permanent. The ordinance is set to sunset (expire) in July 2013. All three townships supported making the road ordinance, which has been in place for three years, permanent.
Martinson first asked the Schroeder Town Board for its thoughts on Tuesday, Feb. 26. The town board said it supported making the ordinance permanent and said it would send a letter to make that support official.
The ordinance was also discussed at the Tofte Town Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 14. That board also passed a motion to send a letter to the county in support of making the ATV ordinance permanent.
Finally, at the Lutsen Town Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, Martinson heard a third endorsement. Asking for input, Martinson noted that the Lutsen Town Clerk rode his ATV to work in good weather. Martinson said, “I don’t think there have been any problems. In fact, I think there are fewer problems.”
Lutsen Town Clerk John Groth nodded and said, “You bet!”
Martinson said one thing the Cook County ordinance requires that is not mandated by the state is a mirror. Lutsen EMS Director Fred Schmidt said that is a reasonable requirement.
“Out west, you have to have a mirror. It works great,” said Schmidt.
“And you can ride all over out there,” said Supervisor Marland Hansen.
A unanimous motion passed to send a letter in support of making the ordinance permanent.
A hearing is being held during the regular county board meeting to discuss the matter at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 26 in the Cook County Courthouse.
Commissioner Bruce Martinson said Lake County is talking about designating some of its roads as open to ATVs to connect to Cook County.
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