Michigan

OTSEGO LAKE TWP. - Deputies from the Otsego County Sheriff’s Dept. (OCSD) and troopers from the Gaylord Michigan State Police (MSP) post were involved in a chase Sunday after Deputy TIm Hogan attempted to stop the driver of an ORV who was riding on a roadway closed to ORV traffic.

According to a Monday news release from the sheriff’s department while on patrol Hogan observed an ORV operator around 7:20 p.m. on Amoco Road near Old State Road and attempted to make a traffic stop.

Michigan Motomania, the new ORV (off-road vehicle) park that is being developed on 200 acres off of Mostetler Road in Harrison is the typical struggle between a developer and neighbors who don’t want their peace and tranquility disturbed.

These disputes have played out in practically every township hall that was ever built. In Harrison personable, Freeland businessman Doug Longenecker is pitted against neighbors- many who have gravitated to Harrison from down state because of its rural, undisturbed landscape.

LaNia Coleman

CARO — Tuscola County Undersheriff Glen Skrent was reminding off-road vehicle riders not to ride on county roads.

“We have been getting calls from citizens stating they heard you can drive an ORV on the road,” Skrent said.

Some property owners adjacent to the site of a new ORV [off road vehicle] park are upset over the new Michigan Monomania development on Mostetler Road in Harrison.

Approximately 40 people attended the March 16 meeting of the Hayes Township Board, many to protest the development.

Denise A. Roymo

Franklin County continues to educate itself on development of a trail system for all-terrain vehicles.

And it has been looking to Michigan as the benchmark on how to do it right.

Eric Levine

Sanilac County Commissioners will hold a public hearing for an off-road-vehicle ordinance April 13, and they are expecting a large audience.

Although April 13 is a scheduled meeting day, the hearing won't be held during the commission's regular afternoon session. Commissioners will convene in the board chambers in the courthouse at 3:30 p.m. to conduct business, and then will recess until 6 p.m. that evening for the hearing in order to give the public more opportunity to attend.

Perhaps the best way to view the dichotomy between snowmobile enthusiasts and the rest of the community is to consider the limited opportunities the vehicles' owners have.

Snow is essential, but the white stuff is available for only four months or so. Michigan winters can be fickle. At times, the Blue Water Area is deluged with snow. At other times, not so much.

Danielle Arndt

STANTON - The Montcalm County Law Enforcement and Courts Committee will approach the full Board of Commissioners later this month about possibly drafting an off-road vehicle (ORV) ordinance.

The Michigan House of Representatives initiated the discussion with a bill passed in December expanding the option of adding an ORV ordinance to seven more counties - Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Gratiot and St. Clair. The ordinance would permit individuals to drive dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and three- and four-wheelers on county roads.

Liz Shepard

When Brad Foltz takes his snowmobile to northern Michigan, he can ride to gas stations, restaurants and different trails thanks to an ordinance that makes it legal to ride on the side of roads.

And he hopes officials will consider the same ordinance in St. Clair and Sanilac counties.