Letter: ATV issue needs a balanced approach

Regarding your Jan. 19 editorial, "Regulating ATVs … Better than nothing" and your Jan. 18 story, "State on mark, towns get set for ATV parks":
After years of political debate and government inertia, a law has been signed regarding all-terrain vehicles. The law is absolutely needed and long overdue.

Both the story and editorial also discuss problems with legal riding. The story begins with Mary Champion, who resides in Estell Manor in Atlantic County and is "haunted by horsepower" throughout her home as a result of ATVs in neighboring backyards. Next, your editorial identifies that you have received several letters detailing the problematic noise, nuisance, safety, and "quality of life" issues created by this legal, backyard activity.

Hundreds and thousands of Mary Champions, attempting to reside peacefully in suburban and rural neighborhoods throughout southern New Jersey experience the downside of ATVs operated on neighboring properties. In months past, The Press has published several related ATV stories, most notably one highlighting the town of Hammonton, which has recognized this problem and is moving forward to, in the words of a draft ordinance, "address the issue by balancing the rights of residents against the rights and responsibilities of users of off-road motor driven vehicles."

Relevant to new requirements to create three state off-road parks, your editorial states that this is "a big win for the ATV crowd."

Indeed it is. And it now makes it much more equitable to place restrictions and safeguards concerning ATVs on private property when officially sanctioned places to ride are available as alternatives. The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection cannot act fast enough on this one.

The above-mentioned "balance" is absolutely needed.

GARY GIBSON
South Dennis

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Source: http://pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/article_72e0f80d-7334-5be2-9e16-e8603a0d0178.html

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