STREET WEIGHT LIMITS A TOPIC OF SCOTT CITY COUNCIL

SCOTT CITY -- A few concerned citizens told the Scott City Council Monday exactly what they thought about the city's ordinance concerning weight limitations on city streets.

The ordinance, as it has stood for decades, restricts any vehicle weighing more than 8 tons from travelling upon city streets.

The council agreed it's time for some changes.

Betty Jackson, owner and operator of a Scott City wrecker service, approached the council after another truck driver was cited by the Department of Transportation for driving a tractor-trailer truck on city streets.

Jackson said that she has received threats from law enforcement concerning her towing of large vehicles or trailers with the wreckers.

In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is insisting that she clear her lot.

"You have to change the law," Jackson said. "The EPA is telling me to move the stuff, and you're telling me that I can't haul it on city streets."

Scott City Mayor Larry Forhan suggested that the council change the ordinance outlining specific instances and making permits issued route specific.

"You'll end up tearing up every street in town," said Ward 3 Councilman Jerry Cummins.

Ward 1 Councilwoman Brenda Moyers extended the circumstances put forth by the ordinance. "We could legally prevent the farmers from using a rig to get his grain to market," she said. "Ethically it would be totally unfair, but legally, it's our right."

At that point, Robert Niederkorn a farmer who owns several tracts of land in and around Scott City got involved.

"This area was built around farm-to-market roads roads farmers can use to haul grain to and from the farm," he said. "In order to allow these people the right to enjoy their businesses, what are you going to do?

"I own an 18-wheeler and a couple of bob-trucks that I use to conduct my business," Niederkorn said. "You can't tell me that I can't do that."

Niederkorn pointed out that when the city issues a building permit to a resident it is in fact allowing that resident to contract heavy cement trucks, bulldozers and backhoes, all of which violate the city ordinance.

"I know that I, the council members, and the residents of the city do not want a steady stream of heavy trucks going back and forth in front of our homes every day," Forhan said. "We need to come to a compromise that everyone can live with."

But Jackson said, "Some people will raise a stink because they think what's right for them is not necessarily right for the guy next door."

Forhan promised that the council will look into redrafting the ordinance to allow business vehicles to legally travel on city streets.

City Attorney Francis Siebert said that until he is able to draw up the paperwork and research the options, "enforcing the ordinance will be left to the discretion of the police department. And none of us can tell them what to do."