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Resident raises concerns about game‑department authority and OHV access; commissioners request deputy coverage near school
Summary
Paul Foreman told the commission he believes the game department lacks traffic authority and that OHV riders face discrimination and lack safe places to ride; commissioners also requested additional deputies near Sun Lorenzo elementary school during morning hours.
During the public comment period a resident, Paul Foreman, raised concerns about off‑highway vehicle (OHV) access and the role of the state game department. Foreman said he had spoken with a game‑department employee who denied agency involvement with the commissioners in 2017–18 and that a judge had limited the department—s authority to hunting and fishing, not traffic enforcement.
"They're not traffic cops," Foreman said, arguing residents have nowhere safe to ride near Highway 35 and that enforcement and access rules have been a longstanding problem in the area. He said that, during a fire response, vehicles were unloaded miles from the fire and riders were able to operate in areas where other residents could not.
In commissioner reports, a commissioner raised community concerns about UTVs on state highways and speed limits near Sun Lorenzo School, noting a residential area speed limit is typically 30 mph and asking whether additional deputies could patrol school start times. The sheriff—s schedule was referenced; commissioners asked for extra deputy coverage during morning school hours and said they would pass the request on to the sheriff's office.
Why it matters: Public safety, traffic enforcement and access to recreation areas were raised as community concerns; the county noted limits on its authority for state highways, and commissioners requested enforcement support from the sheriff.
What—s next: Commissioners asked staff to pass on requests for additional deputy coverage at the school and to work with state and county partners where authority permits. No formal action was taken during the public comment period.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 008 topicfinish SEG 1050.
