By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have many uses and can be a lot of fun, but there are state laws that some may not be aware of that can turn that fun into a ticket.
However, rather than issue citations to violators, local police said that while they uphold the state code, they feel it is better to educate residents first about the laws regarding ATVs rather than prosecute first-time offenders.
Arkansas state law deals with the rules and regulations regarding the operation of ATVs, which are classified as recreational vehicles. According to the state code, an ATV is "every three-wheeled, four-wheeled or six-wheeled vehicle 75 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 800 pounds or less, equipped with low pressure tires designed primarily for off-road recreational use...". It also states that golf carts, riding lawnmowers, or lawn or garden tractor are not classified as ATVs and that children under 12 can operate them with an adult's (someone over 18 years old) supervision.
St. Francis County Sheriff Dave Parkman said that his department tries to warn people instead of ticketing them. "We try to give them a warning without a citation most of the time," said Parkman. "If we do give a ticket, we handle it as a traffic violation."
Forrest City Police Chief Clarence McNeary, said that he feels the ATV problem it is not that common within the city limits.
"It's not that big of a problem here in Forrest City," said McNeary. "It may be more of a problem in the outskirts of the city. If we catch someone operating ATVs illegally, we try to educate them. They might not be aware of the laws and where they are allowed to operate them. Now if it is not the first time that we have stopped a subject for driving an ATV where they are not allowed, we will issue a citation."
McNeary also said that like the SFC Sheriff's Department, violations of the laws are dealt with similar to traffic violations.
State law states that operation on "public streets and highways of this state" is unlawful. But there are a few exceptions to the rule.
According to the law, a licensed person on an ATV can travel across a public street or highway, if necessary, when the vehicle is being used in farming and hunting, to get from one field to another. Another exception is making a direct crossing from one side of the street or highway to another. There is even a set of exceptions for people with a "serious walking handicap."
Those who don't fall under the exceptions can be penalized for riding the ATVs on city streets or highways. The state code provides that anyone violating the provisions can be found guilty of a misdemeanor. Fines are a minimum of $10 and maximum of $50. Jail time can be imposed, but not to exceed 30 days. It is also provided that both a fine and imprisonment can be imposed.
Several items of business were discussed at the meeting of the St. Francis County Museum Board this week, including the rescheduling of the Arkansas Delta Byways Thunder Cruise and the museum actively pursuing a sanctioned Native American Powwow for the area.
The Thunder Cruise, a motorcycle tour of the area, has been postponed until this fall. The tour was originally scheduled for this weekend, but the ADB will instead sponsor a booth at the Wild Hog Festival in Helena.
According to Laura Mazzanti, the director of the museum, passport books will be available this weekend listing various destinations in the area for the fall ride. The participants will be asked to visit the sites that are listed so that their book can be stamped. A grand prize will be drawn from the names of the participants who have all of their sites stamped.
While the fifth annual Circle of Friends Native American Powwow did take place, the museum had a smaller role than in the past. The museum served as a financial clearing house, of sorts, for the funding of the event. Funding for the Circle of Friends Powwow raised only $1,000 this past year of the $4,500 that was requested.
Mazzanti and Chairperson Anita Widby stated that they personally returned all the donations that were solicited from local businesses due to the shortfall. The board agreed to actively pursue a sanctioned Native American Powwow event and the possibility of holding a powwow event in conjunction with Parkin State Archeological State Park. Anyone wanting to help with the Native American project should notify Mazzanti at the museum.
Mazzanti offered a brief update on the restoration grant. She said that while there has been no movement, the grant is still pending, and that she is trying to arrange a meeting between herself and Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department Commissioner Buddy Bennefield on Wednesday, May 26. The purpose of the meeting would be to discuss the grant and ask for any assistance that he can lend to getting the grant implemented.
The museum has scheduled a Tag Sale fundraiser for Saturday, June 12. The event will begin at 8 a.m., and starting at 11 a.m., hamburger lunches will be sold using Warren Faupel's recipe. The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) will sell lemonade during the event. County residents are being asked to make donations of used items in good condition, such as furniture and home accessories. No articles of clothing will be sold.
In other news, Mazzanti told the members of a change in the museum's e-mail address. The new address is sfcmuseum@cablelynx.com. She then added that the Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Commission approved funding for the museum's website for another year.
Before adjourning, Mazzanti reminded members of the May Student
Art Exhibit, that will feature art from area students in kindergarten
through 12th grades. The exhibit will begin with an opening reception
on Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free to
the public and refreshments will be served.
St. Francis County government had sales tax receipts of $125,585.91 in March.
In addition, cities in the county received the following prorated amounts from the county sales tax: Hughes, $24,890.54; Forrest City, $196,964.57; Wheatley, $4,959.44; Palestine, $9,878.90; Madison, $13,158.52; Caldwell, $6,199.30; Colt, $4,906.12; Widener, $466.17.
Also, cities with their own sales tax received the following: Forrest City, $142,728.82; Hughes, $8,360.43; Madison, $2,050.26; Palestine, $6,631.50; Wheatley, $3,389.45.
The Forrest City Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, April 27, and will have several items on the agenda.
In new business, there is a request to change the zoning of the property on Izard Street behind Worley's Nursery from a residential-2 zone to a commercial-2 zone. There will also be a request for a 4.5 foot variance on the east side of 512 East St. Andrews to build an enclosed garage.
In old business, the defining of the landscape buffer for zoning regulations will be discussed.