Here is an earlier story—
http://www.leesvilledailyleader.com/...news/news1.txt
No Wheels Allowed
By KELLY MOORE/Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 30, 2007 8:40 AM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page
The New Llano Town Council held their first meeting since their new town hall opened. Their meetings are held at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month. (Leader photo by KELLY MOORE.)
NEW LLANO - The Town of New Llano will soon be off limits to skateboards, roller blades, roller skates and bicycles, unless on private property.
During Tuesday's Town Council meeting, Councilman Charles Balthrop introduced an ordinance that will prohibit the use of skateboards, roller blades, roller skates, bicycles, etc. anywhere in the corporate limits of the Town of New Llano with the exception of the individual's private property.
None of the items listed above are to be used in or around any area of the New Llano Community Park, on any road or street, or on any public property or business/ commercial property.
New Llano Mayor Freddie Boswell said the reason they introduced the ordinance is because the town is being victimized by vandals. “It is mostly the skateboarders who are tearing things up,” Boswell said.
Boswell described how thousands of dollars in damages have been inflicted on the town's property including the water fountain and lighting system in the park.
The water fountain has been repaired at least five times because of vandals and though there is a sign stating that skateboards are prohibited the council feels that unless there are consequences for breaking the skateboard ban the vandalism and disregard for park rules will go on unchecked.
If the ordinance is passed, and once it is implemented, when individuals are found to be breaking the ordinance the first offense will be a $50 fine and/or 30 days in jail. The fine for second offense will be $100 and/or 30 days in jail. The fine will continue to increase by $50 per violation with the maximum not to be more than $300 and/or 30 days in jail.
Boswell confirmed that if individuals are caught in the act of vandalism at the park they will be required to make restitution for any and all needed repairs.
In other council business, an ordinance was introduced setting weight and width limits of vehicles within the town limits.
The town defined excessive weights and widths as:
€ “Gross Weight” means the weight of a vehicle and/or combination of vehicles without load on all axles including the steering axle plus the weight of any load thereon.
€ “Width” means the total outside transverse dimension of a vehicle including any load or load holding devices thereon but excluding approved safety devices and tire bulge due to load.
€ “Load” means a weight or quantity of anything resting upon something else regarded as its support.
The ordinance also prohibits vehicles on any public street inside the town limits with a gross weight in excess of 10 tons.
The width of vehicles traveling within the town limits is limited to 8 ft, 5 inches.
These limits will not apply to La. Hwy. 1211 or U.S. Hwy. 171.
Public hearings on both of these ordinances will be held at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25.