Illinois ATV park needs HELP!

[Ritthjp]

Duane Wirth is trying to start up an ATV Park in Mineral Township, IL. He has been opposed because of sound levels, and erosion, etc. However, there have not been too many supporters of the ATV Park come to the County Board Meetings.

http://pjstar.com/stories/020905/REG_B5HM8UBG.050.shtml is a little background on this.

There is a petition you can sign at http://www.PetitionOnline.com/atvpark/petition.html

For those of you in Illinois, the next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, February 10 at the County Planning Commission meeting at the Bureau County Courthouse.

For those of you not in Illinois, or even in Illinois, I ask that you take a few minutes and contact a few of the below board members and tell them that you support the potential ATV Park in Mineral Township, IL. Please be nice, and thank them for their time.

Thanks!

Anderson, Dale 18828 250 N Ave, Tiskilwa, IL 61368 815-646-4162
Baracani, John 413 E Cleveland, Spring Valley, IL 61362 815-663-8358
Bennett, William A 10639 550 E St, Neponset, IL 61345 309-594-2218
Bernabei, Douglas P 1015 W Fourth St, Spring Valley, IL 61362 815-663-3684
Cruz, R. John 217 W. Devlin, Spring Valley, IL 61362 815-663-1891
Dahl, Douglas G. 27658 850 E St, Walnut, IL 61376 815-379-2263
Devert, Dean J. 402 E Cleveland, Ladd, IL 61329 815-894-3322
Donarski, Jim 1036 Lora Ave, Princeton, IL 61356 815-879-6131
Entwhistle, Marshann 2440 Ridgefield Rd, Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-1160
Hohertz, John 26189 3200 E St, LaMoille, IL 61330 815-638-2136
Lilley, James 16025 Wyanet/Walnut Road, Wyanet, IL 61379 815-699-7044
Lilley, Marsha 27 S Cherry, Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-8628
Mangrich, Lisa 206 N Linn St, Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-4808
Mariani, Richard 105 Oak St, Box 224, Dalzell, IL 61320 815-664-4293
McCook, Robert 103 E Park Ave, Cherry, IL 61317 815-894-2837
McCune, Dee 2133 2300 N Ave, Walnut, IL 61376 815-445-3281
Moran, Korter “Butch” 214 E Third, Box 619, DePue, IL 61322 815-447-2580
Noble, Perry III 517 S Fifth, Princeton, IL 61356 815-879-7171
Pozzi, Rob 20987 IL Hwy 29, Spring Valley, IL 61362 815-447-2421
Swanson, Peter M 13724 2100 N Ave, Princeton, IL 61356 815-699-2578
Throneburg, Marcus 703 E South St, Sheffield, IL 61361 815-454-2319
Tracy, Charles “Chuck” 717 Greencroft Rd, Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-1440
Vasquez, Josef 612 LaBee St, DePue, IL 61322 815-447-2927
Volker, Loretta J. 304 Elm Place, Princeton, IL 61356 815-875-1330
Weeks, Marilyn 29973 2650 E St, LaMoille, IL 61330 815-638-2202
Wilt, Marc 14606 2700 N Ave, Walnut, IL 61376 815-379-2986

[markk]

This is a good and informative post! Keep it up this is what we need in Illinois, Its almost like the State is againt ATVing!

[markk]

I called a few ppl, and no one seems very happy that i called about it lol! But i was polite, and told them how it would/can bennifit the area, and the state. Buy races, riders coming from everywhere to ride, That brings money into all kinds of busnesses.

Iono i gave it a shot, keep on trying!

[Ritthjp]

I've never had to personally deal with Bureau County, but Duane's son Ed, said Bureau County don't want to hear it. They should here it. It makes for quite an influencing. Granted, most of us are not in Bureau County, but they will be up for re-election soon, and they want to be re-elected, so they tend to do what the majority wants them to do.

[2001300exguy]

just signed it only number 8:eek2: ! come on people help them out sign the petition.

[Screamin440]

Replied and maybe this post will inspire some others to make a reply as well.

"Securing spots for recreational riding is crucial to the offroad industry as a whole. The private land that is available to ride on is shrinking and this will effect the industry very soon unless something is done to secure the sport's future. Setting this land up as a riding area would not only benefit the owner but it would also benefit the surrounding area's business. When enthusiast's drive in from out of town and even out of state to enjoy the sport they love they need lodging, food and fuel. Those three things alone would benefit all surrounding hotels, grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations. It would be a real mistake to simply shoot this man's dream down because of the failure to see the potential business aspect. While you may have a few down sides associated with this park I believe the benefits would greatly outweigh the negative impacts."

Come on guys, if places aren't secured now they won't be there in another few years. Look at your local riding spots, how many have closed down in the last 10 years due to the public complaints?

[TM426]

SIGN IT NOW:scary: :scary: :scary: :devil: WE need more spots to ride!!!

[Ritthjp]

Please atleast sign the petition!

[dober250R]

#29!!!! Come on people, sign the petition!!! pretty soon we'll be out of places to ride, just like a fat kid playin dodgeball!!

i just signed it.. 30

[zlam27]

i signed it, how far is this from Sterling IL?

#35

zach

[Rdhanded2]

#46

[Zingnut]

Best of luck!!! #49

[Ritthjp]

Originally posted by zlam27
i signed it, how far is this from Sterling IL?

#35

zach

about 40 miles.

[Rdhanded2]

I got everyone at my work to sign.

[Mxjunkie]

#62 come on people, you will want people to sign yours when it comes! help riders out :)

[Jwarren879]

# 77, come on people, help each other out! it only takes a second

[watts16]

#78 and #79 i got my dad to sign it

how far is this away from peoria/pekin area

[Ritthjp]

Originally posted by exracer16
#78 and #79 i got my dad to sign it

how far is this away from peoria/pekin area

I live in Metamora, and its about 45 miles or so, I'm guessing it would be 60-70 miles for you if you live in Pekin.

[Ritthjp]

It's not over yet, but it's a good start:


PRINCETON - The Bureau County Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved recommending a conditional-use permit be issued to allow a 10-mile all-terrain-vehicle and motorcycle riding track in Mineral Township.
Applicant Duane Wirth of rural Sheffield was denied a similar permit Tuesday by the County Board that would have allowed ATV and motorcycle racing instead of "leisure riding." The board's decision came after nearly five months of delay in the appeal process.

Neighbors around the proposed site attended Thursday's meeting in protest of Wirth's plans to build the riding park. They say racing or riding, it's all the same.

"We're just a bunch of good people trying to keep our neighborhood a neighborhood. We just want to keep the community the same," said Pat Schofield, who lives near the proposed park.

Residents fear that noise, dust and the crowd of people the park will draw will hamper the wilderness and tranquility of their neighborhood.

While the Planning Commission doesn't hear any testimony, the matter will now move on to the Bureau County Zoning Board of Appeals at 7 p.m. Thursday at the County Courthouse, where neighbors once again will plead their case.

Wilbur Giltner, chairman of the Planning Commission, said that based on the information presented from Wirth and his son, Andy Wirth, the commission believes the project won't deteriorate the neighborhood.

"I think we did the right thing. If the Board of Appeals doesn't like it, they can change it," Giltner said.

He said the commission approved another ATV park near Walnut about two years ago. "I don't feel it is right to turn this one down."

Commission member Jon Pickering made the original motion for approval. "They have met the requirements," he said.

Besides trials, a concession stand and ticket booth would also be built as part of the ATV park, Andy Wirth said. It would operate three days a week from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.