Main Street Lincoln director Wanda Lee Rohlfs said that the first
consideration was to discern the difference of location of the
historic business district and the business district.
Bates interpreted the regulation to say that signs are not
mandatory. Every one agreed that it would make it easier to enforce
and might even prevent the problems if youth knew where they should
not be doing those activities. There would be, “less excuse to say I
didn’t know,” assistant police chief Harley Mullins said.
After some discussion it was decided that a combination of natural
brick colored stenciling would be placed on walkways and signs
posted in a few places to designate the downtown prohibited areas.
It was also decided to send notices home from school to parents so
that they would be aware of the regulation. This would be a fair
warning to parents to say, “We mean business!” Jonie Tibbs said.
It will take about six weeks to get the signs made for downtown. The
stenciling can be done sooner, streets superintendent Tracy Jackson
said.
Private property owners are responsible for their own signs.
Mullins said that police will then begin issuing youth citations and
in some instances their skateboard may be confiscated. The police
department is short staffed but they will go out to patrol the areas
when there is time.
911 can be called if risky behavior is observed that could lead to a
traffic accident or harm to someone. Alderman Kathy Horn said that
she has told a couple of people to do that.
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On another matter, alderman Benny Huskins addressed the racetrack.
Because of the special zoning that was created to allow racing at
the Logan County Fairgrounds, the city sets the rules and
regulations for the racetrack.
The first year races were approved for Sunday night only. Last year
they were granted a change to Saturday nights. Some area residents
have attended recent meetings to say that they’d prefer the races
stay on Saturday night for the benefit of people that get up early
for work on Monday’s.
The new owner, Don Hammer, has asked the city for greater
flexibility in choosing which night the races are held. He also
asked to be allowed two or three additional evenings for next season
to host special national shows without bumping the regular weekly
racers night.
Huskins said, “Leave it as it is.” He felt that the owner knew what
he was buying when he bought that business.
Aldermen Marty Neitzel and Verl Prather disagreed. Prather said,
“I’m not against negotiating with the owner which nights he wants.”
I’m also for giving him a blanket four or five other times that he
can choose the night he wants, he said.
Meeting time ran out and the matter was left open for further
discussion.
[Jan Youngquist]
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