Ban ATVS from the boardwalk

The old adage half measures avail us nothing, in my view, can be targeted at the town council of Holyrood.

I direct my comments particularly towards Mayor Gary Goobie, who I hope will use his influence and take the lead once again and finish the job of protecting visitors by banning those menacing and dangerous ATVs that frequent the Holyrood beach in what I think is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and inviting place in Conception Bay.

Earlier, the Holyrood council (your council, mayor) cracked down heavily and brought in a municipal bylaw forbidding motorcycles, regular twowheel bikes, trikes and skateboards to ride the boardwalk along the beach. Thankfully and rightfully, this seems to be working.

The reason for this letter is both one of frustration and one of anger.

Recently, on a Saturday, my wife and I headed for Holyrood (as we do quite often) to spend a glorious sunny day on the beach and to stroll the magnificent boardwalk — second to none in the world.

Again (I reiterate because I’ve complained about this before) we and other visitors were subjected to the noise, the dust and the danger from several ATVs that roamed the beach. The problem was particularly annoying when we noticed two or three seniors in wheelchairs that were being pushed along the walkway by caregivers. They, like us and the variety of other visitors there that afternoon (one from New Brunswick) were obviously ignored by these “couldn’t care less” ATV operators.

There was a lovely breeze blowing in off the bay and dust clouds and flying beach pebbles could be seen every- where. It was uncalled for and unnecessary, and like those two-wheel motor bikes, trikes and skateboards, ATVs, too, should be banned from the beach — totally. I am not alone in this view. Quite often, people we meet as we stroll around bring up the same subject.

Why the council did not go all the way in its earlier action to cure this terrible and potentially libelous activity is beyond me.

Come on, Mayor Goobie, take the lead and protect this your jewel of Conception Bay before it gets worse.

Visitors from the province, tourists and, indeed, citizens of your own town deserve it. It is yours to protect.

Maybe the provincial government will have to be drawn in. Something to think about. Bill Westcott Clarke’s Beach