To the editor:
The Harris newsletter, recently mailed to all Harris residents, may contain misleading information that should concern all Harris citizens.
The newsletter included a reminder that Harris had adopted an “ordinance imposing rules, regulations, and restrictions on the operation of snowmobile and recreational motor vehicles within the city of Harris” on August 22, 2007. The newsletter also printed the wording of that ordinance.
After numerous complaints of offensive ATV tracks with the accompanying noise and dust, the Harris council decided to limit this activity with an ordinance. A group was appointed by all ATV owners and would clearly define the parameters of offensive activity – with no ‘gray areas’ – so that the ordinance could be easily enforced and the offensive activity stopped. This group included Harris City staff, residents and ATV enthusiasts. The resulting ordinance as presented to and adopted by the Harris council was fair to all and seemingly would be the effective tool for discontinuing the offensive ATV activity.
Although including this reminder of the ordinance in the newsletter had good intentions, it is misleading the public into believing that Harris and Chisago County will actually enforce the ordinance and prosecute the offenders.
Like many rural Harris residents, our ability to enjoy our property in peace is continually interrupted by the roar and dust of a neighbor racing numerous ATVs around a track.
Our repeated calls over the last 10 months to the city of Harris and the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department to report these violations have not resulted in any relief to the problem.
In fact, instead of confirming that the neighbor is in clear violation of the Harris ordinance and issuing a citation, frequently the deputy arriving at the scene has instead warned US to stop ‘harassing’ the Sheriff’s Department about the violations. We have been told that enforcing this ordinance is like observing someone driving 57 mph in a 55 mph zone – just not serious enough to bother enforcing.
Harris residents have been mislead into believing that an ordinance will protect their right to enjoy their property without having to hear the roar and choke on the dust of your neighbor’s racing ATVs. The truth is, when residents report a violation and expect justice, they may be the ones to receive the warning from the deputy.
Robert and Theresa Bloomquist
Harris
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