ANNEXURE
5
From: Jonathan Rorie
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2017 1:11 PM
To: 'Susan Buekes'
Subject: RE: An enquiry regarding my recent email
Ms. Buekes,
I did indeed follow up with the City Attorney. In short, the
state law establishes the equipment requirement and the city ordinance does not
need to be amended.
Jonathan
N. Rorie, MPA
City Manager
151 Willowbend Rd.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
770-487-7657
770-631-2505 (Fax)
ANNEXURE 6
From: Susan Buekes
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2017 11:14 PM
To: fleisch Vanessa ; Learnard Kim
Cc: Jonathan Rorie ; Phil Prebor ; Mike King ;
Terry Ernst
Subject: Golf cart law or rule?
Good day ladies,
It would appear that I was remiss in not copying the email I sent
to the City Manager and three other councilors, in reply to the City Manager’s
response to my original email, which was sent to everyone. In my defense, I did
copy the email only to those who had sent email “read receipts”.
However, because of the couple of puzzled looks immediately after
my public comment at the PTC Council meeting held on 16th February, and
after my short discussion with Kim Learnard after the meeting, I wish to bring
you ladies up to speed.
Below this email, for your information, as it is pertinent to the
subject, is my response, dated 29th January, to the City Manager’s reply, dated
26th January, to my original email.
After a reminder which included the words ”I am wondering if
you have followed up on the information I provided concerning the clause
in O.C.G.A. § 40-6-330.1. (a) (7) and how it
impacts on the city’s Code of Ordinances regarding golf cart horns?”
I received a brief reply as follows:
Ms. Buekes,
I did indeed follow up
with the City Attorney. In short, the state law establishes the equipment
requirement and the city ordinance does not need to be amended.
It was this reply that prompted my attendance at the meeting. I am
very puzzled as to why the City Manager does not consider it necessary to amend
the Code of Ordinances in view of the State Law’s requirements for a horn,
albeit during hours of darkness. City Hall is expending much time,
energy, and money, “educating” the public on the golf cart rules, one of which
reads “ A warning or announcement shall be given by operators of golf carts
.......when approaching pedestrians from the rear. This announcement may be
verbal, but it is recommended that bicyclists and golf cart operators equip
their vehicles with a warning device such as a horn or bell.........”
Is Peachtree City management not guilty of misleading its citizens
by providing incomplete information? Are all golf cart operators expected
to acquaint themselves with the
Official Code of Georgia § 40-6-330.1. (a)?
How misleading is it for
the Police Department to be giving out bicycle bells that have the Peachtree
City logo and “Audible Signal Required” printed on them, to golf cart
operators, when it is a horn that the State Law
requires as equipment on every golf cart? Nowhere in the Peachtree City Code of Ordinances, nor in the “Do
YOU know the RULES?” brochure, is any mention made of the State Law which
requires that a golf cart must be equipped with a horn during hours of
darkness. Surely after all these years it is time for the outmoded clause in
the Code of Ordinances to be amended? Why the reluctance to implement a measure
that can only improve safety on the paths?
I repeat my question; Why the reluctance to amend the one relevant
clause in the Code of Ordinances? Who is benefitting by not amending the
clause?
Susan Buekes