Sound, small-town parenting prevailed Monday night over politics in Bel Air.
Bel Air Police Chief Leo Matrangola?s proposed ban on gas-powered children?s scooters failed at Monday night?s town meeting.
Matrangola wanted to create a municipal law against the children?s toys, which ride low to the ground with handlebars that can be pushed up against the footboard for carrying, because kids ride them dangerously near traffic, and they make a “high-pitched whine” that bothers neighbors, Deputy Chief Armand Dupre told The Examiner.
Town Commissioner Robert Reier made a motion to pass the legislation, but there was no second, and the ban died. Commissioner David Carey was on vacation and not present.
The legislation was introduced last week and a public hearing was held on the issue at this week?s meeting, where most were against the ban.
William Adams, who brought a scooter that his 9-year-old daughter, Madie, rides, said good parenting should supersede a ban.
“I?ve had some days when kids have run out in front of my car for a soccer ball,” he said. “Water bottles, a plastic bag ? all these things can be harmful.”
And Mayor Terence Hanley, who has three children, echoed those sentiments.
“I think my first reaction when I heard this, I think, ?This is insane,?” he said. “Whatever happened to good, old-fashioned parents?”
He said that rather than creating another law to enforce, people should obey ? and police should enforce ? those that are already in place for safety reasons, like speeding limits.
Safety is taken “very seriously” and if need be, the issue can be revisited in the future, Commissioner Robert Preston said.
