Union Grove voters make clear they do not want ATVs or golf carts on village roads

Debate over whether roads should be opened up to the vehicles has been continuing for months in Union Grove, without a clear majority.

But in a trio of advisory referendums Tuesday, voters made clear they want to keep village roads for traditional vehicles only. Here’s how they voted:

QUESTION 1: Should ATVs be allowed on most village roadways?

• Yes: 303
• No: 597

QUESTION 2: Should UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles) be allowed on most village roadways?

• Yes: 328
• No: 569

QUESTION 3: Should golf carts be allowed on most village roadways?

• Yes: 384
• No: 520

Village President Steve Wicklund said he doubts that the Village Board will consider the matter any further, considering the margin of defeat for all three referendum questions.

The referendum was advisory only, which means the Village Board is not required to agree with the majority. Wicklund, however, called the results “pretty resounding. We just don’t need to discuss it any further.”

Newly elected Village Board member Sandy Born, who was a leading supporter of the measure, said she agrees that the referendum was decisive, and that no further action is warranted.

“It was a landslide of noes,” Born said. “I’m not going to go against that.”

The initiative grew out of a discussion among ATV and golf cart owners on a Facebook group. Born and others then pushed the Village Board to allow alternative vehicles in traffic alongside cars and trucks.

After hearing strong opinions on both sides, the village decided to hold a referendum.

Voters casting their ballots Tuesday voiced differing viewpoints on whether ATVs and golf carts would be appropriate on the roads, or whether they would create safety troubles.

Voter Tony Birong said although he does not ride an ATV or golf cart, he supported the referendum because he has seen such devices in traffic elsewhere without any issue.

“They do it all the time,” he said. “It’s not a problem.”

Other voters said they were worried about traffic safety hazards.

Voter Linda Slife said she questions whether ATV or golf cart operators would obey traffic laws. She also has seen accidents occur in other communities where alternative vehicles were allowed on the roads.

“I’m not convinced with the safety part,” she said.

If the Village Board had approved, ATVs, golf carts and UTVs would have been permitted in traffic on local roads, except state highways where a state prohibition would have continued.

Wicklund said the village can revisit the subject another time if proponents request it. But public support will have to be much stronger for the idea to get much traction, he said.

For now, he said: “I think it’s a done deal. The people have spoken.”