STARKVILLE — Starkville residents will have one more chance to weigh in on a proposed safety helmet ordinance before aldermen vote on the measure Tuesday night at City Hall.
Aldermen already have held two hearings on the ordinance, but it was revised after the first hearing to include all operators of bicycles and other alternative modes of transportation, not just those under the age of 16. The decision to hold a third public hearing Tuesday was based on the changes and the desire of aldermen to give citizens enough chance to voice their opinions.
At the second public hearing Tuesday, a number of residents and aldermen expressed their concerns with the ordinance, while others supported the measure.
Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver and Ward 3 Alderman Eric Parker were concerned with potential enforcement of the ordinance — only uniformed police and code enforcement officers would be allowed to issue the $15 citation for violators — and what effect it could have on a child who is cited. Former mayoral candidate Marnita Henderson shared similar concerns.
“We don”t want police officers to be foes of the children,” Henderson said. “We want them to be friends of the children.”
Carver and Parker also cited the loss of individual freedom as reasons for concern.
“I”m a grown man,” Carver said. “If I don”t want to wear a helmet while I”m riding my bike around the neighborhood, I shouldn”t have to.”
“I just personally don”t think the government should be in the business of enforcing a helmet ordinance,” Parker said.
Mike Allen, who ran unsuccessfully last year for the Ward 5 seat on the Board of Aldermen, sided with Carver and Parker.
“It”s our own individual responsibility as parents or for our own health to decide whether we want to wear (helmets) or not,” Allen said.
“This is just big government coming in at the local level,” he added.
But the ordinance had plenty of support. Among supporters was Ward 7 resident Alvin Turner.
“We have to think for these kids sometimes because the kids don”t think their selves about the dangers (of riding without a helmet),” Turner said.
Dr. John Ford, head of the communication department at Mississippi State University, also was in favor of the ordinance.
“If it could save one child or one adult, it would be worth it,” Ford said.
According to Dana Pierce, associate director of the Brain Injury Institute of Mississippi, 130,000 children sustain brain injuries across the country each year due to bicycle accidents. On average, about 900 die, she said.
Linda Southward, chairman of the city”s Healthy Hometown Committee, which has pushed for the ordinance, also spoke of the decision to include all ages in the measure, not just children under the age of 16.
“I value the life of each person in this community, regardless of their age,” she said.
Starkville resident Kate Fable also supported the ordinance.
“It would really help me as a parent to say, ”This is the law. You have to wear a helmet while you”re on your bike,”” Fabel said.
The third public hearing will be held during the Board of Aldermen”s meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall. Aldermen are expected to vote on the ordinance after the hearing.
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