News

For the first time in several years Jason Rabe was absent from the Beloit City Council meeting on Wednesday night, having resigned his position with the city to accept a new job with the Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative. Amanda Lomax, acting as city manager, conducted the meeting very capably as her first time doing so, Also in attendance was Mayor Tom Naasz and City Attorney Katie Schroder. All councilors were present except for Todd Adolph, One major topic arose in discussions throughout the meeting the dangerous and illegal use of motorized scooters, bicycles, skateboards, golf carts and in some cases, automobiles in areas restricted to their use. With school out for the summer and the emergence of warm spring weather, folks, both young and old, are enjoying being outside more often. This extra activity, however, is accompanied by lapses in judgement about where it is okay to ride a bike or scooter or other motorized vehicles and where it is prohibited to do so, Several of the counselors reported having been contacted by citizens expressing concern about this activity, especially in the downtown area. The expression, “almost had a collision” was often used by people to describe the situation. While riding anything on the streets in downtown Beloit is a violation of city code and subject to a citation, the counselor’s hoped that action would not be necessary. However, if the safety of folks shopping in downtown Beloit continues to be a safety factor, a more serious approach may be necessary. Individuals should be able to walk in and out of local stores and walk down the streets without fear of a collision of a youth riding a bicycle or motorized device.