Signage advising about golf cart use to be subject of report to town council

Amherstburg Municipal Building

Signage about golf cart use in the Lakewood Beach area of Amherstburg and the proper usage thereof will be the subject of a report to town council.

Councillor Diane Pouget brought the issue back before town council during the unfinished business portion of Monday night’s town council meeting. She wanted an update on the matter, including costs and how soon signs could be put up.

CAO Valerie Critchley believed a previous motion on the matter wasn’t passed, but said administration has had conversations on a pilot project with the province related to golf carts. Pouget said her matter dated back to September 2024, and said council was told  a couple of months signs were available but Mayor Michael Prue had concerns over cost.

“Since then, we haven’t received any update on that whatsoever,” said Pouget.

Critchley said she could look into the previous discussion, but Pouget said the matter was proceeding a few weeks ago until Prue voiced concerns.

“You’re telling me this is all falling apart now?” she asked.Critchley said that is not what she said, but rather she didn’t recall previous motions passing but she “could be mistaken.” Clerk Kevin Fox said mail-outs did go to residents advising what the rules were regarding ATVs, per council’s direction.

Fox added in addition to letters going out, the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment did do increased enforcement.

Councillor Peter Courtney said he recalled direction for a strategically placed sign to go up, but Fox said they could investigate what was previously decided regarding that. Pouget believed it was “an understanding” that strategically placed signs go up.

Prue said he remembered concerns over cost and distance between signs, but not any direction from town council after that.

“When you asked that question, where’s the answer?” asked Pouget.

Administration said an e-mail went out in April suggesting a motion from council, with Pouget making the motion to direct staff provide information on proper signage and the amount of money it will cost to locate them “in strategic locations only.” She added that would have to be in conformance with the Highway Traffic Act.

Pouget said she is only requesting it for the Lakewood Beach area.

“That’s where all the complains are coming from,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb wondered if there were other problematic areas that weren’t being addressed.

“I tend to think that just doing this on the fly is not really addressing the problem,” said Gibb. “How do we know that Lakewood Beach is the area that needs to be addressed. Could it be Lake Erie Country Club? Could it be parts of Amherst Pointe?” 

The deputy mayor said he believes it is more than putting up a sign “just to placate someone.”

“If this is truly a problem in the municipality, it should be addressed for the whole municipality,” said Gibb. “I don’t know if there’s a problem in McGregor. I don’t know if there’s a problem in River Canard. This seems to be that we’re trying to solve an issue but this could be a bigger issue than we know.”

Gibb added he was hesitant to put signs in one area that council thinks is a good spot.

“How do we know that’s the right spot for it? How do we know there’s not other spots that could be addressed?” said Gibb.

Councillor Linden Crain acknowledged the issue Pouget mentioned, but wondered if council was “piecemealing” the issue. He also wondered if there were other issues that needed investigating and if bulk signage could lead to savings.

“I feel like there has to be an investigation,” said Crain.

Staff Sgt. Bryan Hayes from the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment stated that he worked with manager of licensing and enforcement Bill Tetler and he relied on their statistics based on calls for service from concerned people.

“When Mr. Tetler and I worked together on putting this mailing out and sending these letters out, that was based on our findings of the calls for service coming in,” said Hayes. 

The letters were sent out April 22 and the statistics steered the letters towards areas like the Lakewood Beach and Willow Beach areas along the shore of Lake Erie. He offered to pull more statistics to see if complaints are coming from other areas of Amherstburg.

Hayes added police haven’t received recent complaints from Boblo Island, stating they know golf carts are being used. 

“The neighbourhoods (on Boblo) are not calling us and making complaints of anyone operating carts there,” he said.

Critchley said she understood council’s wish to keep everyone safe, but doubted the signs would stop people from using golf carts. She said the education campaign between police and bylaw departments was the better avenue. She noted the possibility of a pilot project for Lake Erie Country Club and Boblo Island.

Pouget added “pictures were submitted” and there were people in one area of town allowing youth to use golf carts with younger children on the back. She recalled issues on Texas Road and signage went up, adding she didn’t understand “why members of this council are trying to stop this.” She added she appreciated the work of police and bylaw officials, and believed signs could act as a reminder to use golf carts responsibly.

“I don’t understand why we’re fighting this. It’s taken over a year to get to this point and it’s a shame. It’s for safety,” said Pouget.

Councillor Molly Allaire said the motion was simply for a report, “and we’re mad because we think it won’t help?” She said the signs could “actually change lives or help.”

“It could help with enforcement. It could actually make a difference,” said Allaire, stating a few signs would not be too costly.

Crain responded that he was happy to support the motion and he said his questions were to see if the town was headed in the right direction.

“I’m happy to proceed. I’m definitely not mad,” he added.

Prue said he was fine with getting a report but council “can’t talk out both sides of our mouth.” He said council wants to proceed down the road for a pilot project but then putting up signs regarding golf cart use.

“I don’t see the council taking both sides,” the mayor said.

Prue wanted the report to have a timeline in it. He pointed out the pilot project in Lakeshore and the rules in place that have to be followed by golf cart users. While in favour of the report, Prue said the report should be “carefully and correctly worded” both ways regardless of what the province decided for a pilot project in Amherstburg.

Courtney added the signage is being requested in an area that is not part of the town’s pilot project request.

“This is specific to the Lakewood Beach area that is not on the recommended list for a pilot project,” said Courtney. The motion to receive a report was approved unanimously by town council.  Signage advising about golf cart use to be subject of report to town council

By Ron Giofu