KEOSAUQUA —
The Van Buren County Board of Supervisors this week, on a 2-1 vote, approved a resolution allowing ATVs on gravel roads. Supervisors Mark Meek and Marvin Philips voted for the resolution while Supervisor Ted Nixon voted no.
“The first year we want to make sure everything works, so we’ll give it a try,” said Meek. “We have a lot of good people who will ride responsibly. You shouldn’t punish everybody for the few who don’t.”
The resolution, which went into effect Tuesday, “sunsets” on Dec. 1.
According Nixon, there are three other Iowa counties that have approved a resolution, and they begin April 1 and sunset the end of October annually.
County resident Marvin Cox said ATVs “are not safe on a gravel road. I’ve ridden for 15 years. They have too short a wheel base. You had 500 who signed the petition. That tells me you had 7,000 against.”
People in favor, however, thought the petition gave a fair crosssection of the county.
“I am definitely in favor,” said county resident Andy Davis. “A four-wheeler is safer than a horse and buggy. And the problems with an ATV, it’s the operator as much as the vehicle.”
“It’s a chance for law-abiding people to ride legally. They are dangerous and you have to respect them,” said Philips.
Local News
August 15, 2012
Van Buren supervisors approve ATVs on gravel roads
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