Leesburg Council Members Discuss Hazards Of Golf Carts
LEESBURG — Recent issues with golf carts were addressed at the Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday, Sept. 10. There have been reports of golf carts being driven through town with no lights. Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton emphasized that the carts must be street worthy.
“As far as the age of the drivers, that’s more of a legal perspective, but the main focus has been that there are golf carts that have been going around town with no headlights or tail lights and not obeying traffic rules,” said Charlton. “The carts must have working headlights and tail lights and obey all traffic standards in town.”
Council Member Christina Archer said she recently observed a group of young people leaving the Dollar Store parking lot in a golf cart.
“They weren’t doing anything wrong,” said Archer. “They were obeying the traffic laws as far as stopping, but there were no lights on the cart and it was already between 9 and 10 at night so it was dark out and I felt that was really dangerous.”
“It’s critical that they have lights on at night,” Archer stated. “I don’t want anyone getting injured because of something like that.”
“I heard this saying years ago and I’ve never forgotten it,” said Leesburg Council President Tom Moore. “‘You can’t make them plant the grass, but if they do you can tell them how tall they can let it grow.'”
“In this case,” Moore continued, “there’s not a lot of place to tell people they can’t run a golf cart, but they need to be legal while they are doing it.”
According to Charlton, there are no current parking issues. Charlton expressed gratitude for the cooperation shown by Leesburg residents. He stated there are still several discarded or wrecked vehicles in violation of the town ordinance that need to be addressed.
Charlton stated that in addition to installing speed limit and ‘Children at Play’ signs on Plum Street, he also replaced several faded and damaged signs throughout town.
Lastly, Charlton informed council members that he has been in contact with Norfolk Southern Track Supervisor Tom Lyons, regarding the east side of the Van Buren Street crossing.
“The angles are too sharp and semis will not be able to negotiate that,” said Moore.
Charlton advised he will continue communicating with Lyons regarding this issue.
Public Information:
- No parking on any streets between 3-5 a.m.
- No burning is permitted.
- Sidewalks are to be kept clear to provide safe passage.
- Sidewalks and trees are the property and responsibility of the property owner.
- Do not mow grass clippings into the streets.
- Yard waste is to be bagged and placed in the trash tote provided by the town of Leesburg.
Other News:
- The roof replacement project for the Prairie Street storage building will begin on Sept. 12 and is anticipated to be completed in one day.
- A resident fell on the steps at the Leesburg Post Office recently. Charlton stated he will communicate with the property owners to suggest that a basic handrail be installed.
- The proposed total for the 2019 budget is $272,403, which is a 3 percent increase over the 2018 budget.
- The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.