Attorney blasts ATVers, Panel rejects Illinois ATV park
Nov. 6, 2003 – Claiming that many ATV riders are alcoholics and don't have drivers licenses, a lawyer urged the Marseilles, Illinois, Planning Commission to reject a proposal to re-zone 340 acres to allow the construction of an ATV park.
Attorney Mel Hoffman, representing nearby landowners opposed to the park, spoke at a public hearing on Monday, November 3.
According to The Daily Times of Ottawa, Illinois, Hoffman said that "a lot of" ATvers are "alcoholics" with suspended driver's licenses.
"I don't know what problems you're going to have with your police going out there with regard to fights and drinking and everything else," the newspaper quoted Hoffman as saying about the proposed park and ATVers. "I don't think that you are going to find this is just a nice friendly group of people out there that's just having a good time."
At the end of the hearing, the commission voted 4-3 against allowing the park.
"These outrageous comments do a disservice to ATV enthusiasts nationwide," said Doug Morris, Director of the All-Terrain Vehicle Association. "Unfortunately, the Marseilles Planning Commission voted based on disinformation."
The ATVA, part of the 266,000-member American Motorcyclist Association, monitors bills, laws and regulations nationwide that affect off-highway vehicle licensing, use and accessibility.
"We encourage ATVers faced with issues like this one to contact us for advice and assistance," Morris continued. "It's important for local enthusiasts to get involved early, to help avoid the outcome we saw in Marseilles."
For more information, ATV enthusiasts should contact Doug Morris at dmorris@atvaonline.com, or Royce Wood in ATVA Government Relations at rwood@atvaonline.com.