As the citizen who wrote the post about Personal Freedom, I went to both the Public Safety meeting and the Ordinance Committee meeting dealing with the issue of bicycle helmets. This ordinance will only be for children 14 and under.  As Mr. Terndrup showed that State Law mandates that towns can only make bike helmet laws for children 14 and under, I guess once they hit 15 and above they’re just not as important. At the Safety meeting on Thursday, Sept. 27th, I brought to their attention that some citizens didn’t feel that the Council listened to all sides, but already have their minds made up before discussion. I was assured by Councilmen Whittle, Taylor and Terndrup that they had not made up their minds yet and were 50/50 for and against bike helmets. Well, come Monday, October 1, at the Ordinance committee meeting, it was obvious to this observer that Mr. Taylor and Terndrup had changed their attitudes and were now 100% for the ordinance. Mr. Terndrup went so far as to say that all RESPONSIBLE parents would have their children wear bike helmets, knowing full well that I do not require my children to wear them…what can I take from that other than I am not a responsible parent. How arrogant.!  Mr. Terndrup feels that the government knows what is best for children and that “irresponsible” parents, like me, need to be told what to do … What!?  did I wake up in a socialist country? (well, maybe so.) Anyway, here are my thoughts in regard to the meeting. I do not feel that the Council members are interested in alternate opinions anymore. Here goes:

As always I would like to thank the committee for allowing citizens to have good debate during meetings. With that said though, I brought up, at the safety meeting, that one of the reasons some citizens do not bother to speak or try to speak is because Council’ members’ minds are made up…even before discussion. Point in fact was the meeting last night. Granted they heard the arguments made by myself and another gentleman, but I don’t think they listened. They have their “facts” and they’re not going to listen to any others. What I saw was emotional rhetoric, not anything based on actually saving lives (otherwise they should just ban all dangerous activities.) Bike helmets are an easy way to make the public see that they care and are doing something…even if it’s a pointless act, because they can’t enforce it.   They can’t even stop speeders,  how will they stop “bike helmet offenders?” They’ll make children and adults criminals over a non-issue. What if I was on Council with a bunch of like-minded people and decided all “responsible” parents will obviously not feed their children processed food and high sugar foods (which we know leads to diabetes.) Would anyone like that? What if it saves even one child…isn’t it worth it?  I could go on and on, but they wouldn’t hear me because THEY know what’s best for my children, and basically think I (and all the “non-responsible” parents) are too stupid to know what’s best for our children. It’s insulting and arrogant and they’re wrong! They picked an emotional issue — the children — and will use it for their political gain. Also, if this is about saving children…even just one…why not vote on it now? Why wait?  God forbid a child die while they’re deciding…after all they know best, right?

I have looked at all the evidence I can find and even if I believed that bicycle helmets save lives, which in point of fact riding safely and following road rules save lives, I still don’t think they have a right to legislate their PERSONAL views on the public. If my child dies because of a head injury (which once he’s 15 who cares, right?),  how does that affect the public safety? Drunk drivers affect public safety, people high on drugs affect public safety, infectious disease affect public safety, crumbling buildings can affect public safety, but bike helmets do not. You can’t save the world.

I expect this proposed ordinance to pass whether it’s done this month or 7 months from now, because it’s all emotional. I don’t want my elected representatives voting on things based on emotions, I want them to vote on things based on fact and reasoning … wisdom (in all truthfulness that’s why I pushed so hard to get the new council members elected, because I thought they would use reason in making decisions.) The problem with the whole country is that we put our hearts before our heads and that is why our country is headed for total decay and sadly now maybe our small town. If they believe in “small government” they should vote no, after all anyone can wear a helmet if they choose. And they shouldn’t say they haven’t made up their minds yet, on this issue, when they so clearly have.

Blessings always — Kim Bishop

The Town Council of Strasburg is determined to erode citizens’ personal freedoms. How, you may be asking? By a backdoor called PUBLIC SAFETY. Who doesn’t like public safety? I certainly do, but they are taking INDIVIDUAL SAFETY and calling it public…Mandatory bike helmets. You may ask, “What’s the big deal? Bike helmets protect people.” You are correct, but why should the government tell us that we HAVE to wear them. Shouldn’t that be our choice? What’s next, walking helmets, driving helmets, climbing ladder helmets, helmets for every occasion? More people die of head injuries in cars than from riding bicycles, but no one (that I have heard) has suggested everyone wear mandatory driving helmets…but oops! maybe now someone will suggest it…Big Government.

Don’t think for a minute that this is just a “common sense” law (a term used instead of PUBLIC SAFETY). Aren’t all laws that erode personal freedom done under the guise of “common sense laws?” Public Safety has to do with the WHOLE of the public, like disease outbreaks, or drunk driving, or child abuse/molestation, or murder, or stealing, etc.; not personal freedoms like what we can wear or eat or live. Tell the government to educate not mandate and then let adults and parents decide what is best for them and their children. You never know, the next thing they try and mandate may affect you! Think about it. Voice your opinions (for or against) this ordinance at the public safety meeting on Thursday Sept. 27 or at the ordinance committee meeting on Monday October 1 or write/call the council. Watch the papers and this site for more information on this subject.

Blessings — Kim Bishop, angry citizen

Please note that the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for July 24 HAS BEEN CANCELLED. It has not been rescheduled; therefore, the Commission’s next meeting will be at its regularly scheduled WORKSESSION on Thursday, August 16. (The August regular monthly meeting will be held on August 28. See Events.)

Date: Tuesday, July 24

Time: 7:30 p.m.

This is the regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Commission at which time the Commission votes on recommendations to the Town Council. (Work sessions are also scheduled monthly and is, as the name suggests, the time when the Commission reviews and gathers information.)