Editor:
While reading the August 15 edition of The Creemore Echo I became aware of the corrupt politics happening in Clearview Township. I concluded that there are six members of Clearview council that need to be replaced. I think that it is terrible that these six people who were elected by and are paid by the residents of Clearview are not trustworthy to lead our community with the best interest of the residents and taxpayers, by having a survey of whether the residents approve. They are only concerned about their self interest and economic gain.
An ATV should not have freedom of access to all roads. They are off-road vehicles and that is where they belong. It would be dangerous to allow them to mix with cars.
One Sunday morning in July, we caught up to a car on Fairgrounds Road, going about 70 km/h. I do not pass a vehicle unless it is going less than the speed limit for a length of time. An ATV caught up to us, and passes, and was gone out of sight. That is a speed of more than 70 km/h for those who say they will slow the traffic down. We did not see any licence plate on the ATV. That probably means no insurance. It would not surprise me to find unlicensed drivers operating these machines. How can the traffic laws be enforced when they can dodge off the road, through the ditch, and into the field or bush when they feel threatened?
A number of years ago, we had an ATV trespass onto our farm. I was able to grab hold onto the back, hoping he would stop. He dragged me down the road for a while, until I let go. He knew that I was being dragged. He could have seriously injured, or killed me. He didn’t care, he was more concerned about getting away.
The first of August, I was at a neighbour’s farm on Fairgrounds Road when I heard quite a noise coming. It was the knobby tires of an ATV beating on the road, and the noisy engine. It took a while before I saw it go past.
We live on a summer road, 1,000 feet back. In some years, the road is used as a snowmobile trail and some years they move the trail to the other side of the field. We hear and smell the noisy machines. Fortunately it is a short season. The ATVs use our road in summer. They too are noisy and smelly. They also spin circles in the gravel, leaving ruts. They really like to do it after the road has been graded.
If ATVs are free to access all roads, I imagine there would be an increase in numbers, as John Broderick would like to see.
Some of us like the peace and quiet of not having noisy vehicles annoying us.
In an age of environmental concern, freedom of ATV use is something not to be considered. They can be a very useful tool for work, but that is all they should be used for, not for roaming the countryside, burning gas, and polluting the air. As far as going shopping, they cannot carry a shopping cart full of groceries.
As far as John Broderick’s comment about the opposition being mean spirited, I would say his reaction is immature and my wife says he is pouty.
If ATVs are allowed we want our road graded every time ATVs mess it up, and the bill sent to J&R Cycle.
Doug White,
Clearview.