The Hub

The council introduced the first reading of an ordinance that for all intent and purposes would prohibit the use of skateboards as well as in-line and roller skates from the entire length of Broad Street and other heavily traveled areas of downtown.

Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. stated that he has received numerous complaints from residents regarding skateboarders and showed 26 photos of property damaged by skateboards. And he said he knew of one instance where someone was struck down by a skateboarder and suffered permanent nerve damage.

"Reason has to be injected here," the mayor said. "This has become an issue of public safety."

McKenna also stressed that this was not a "ban" on skateboarding, but a prohibition of it in the more congested areas. "Think about how crowded our streets are," he contended. "We’re just saying there are certain areas in town that it is too dangerous and that it should not be permitted."

But despite how the ordinance might be written, Councilwoman Jennifer Beck saw it as a ban and one that goes too far.

"Bans are extreme measures," she said. "The way the ordinance is written it bans skateboarding. And if our kids can’t take advantage of our streets who can?"

Beck said the issue would be better addressed by dealing with it on a case-by-case basis. Destruction of public and private property is a crime and should be treated as such, she said. But skating in and of itself is not.

"What’s the next step? Banning runners and bicycles?" Beck asked.

A number of parents also expressed their concern about the ordinance, believing it criminalizes a legitimate sport and social activity. Ira Gerstler, a resident and parent of a 16-year-old skateboarder, asserted that his son and his friends are "not criminals." "These are good kids," he said. Gerstler implored the mayor and council to "please find an alternative."

McKenna assured him that skateboarding would be allowed and noted that the borough has been in discussion with the YMCA to find an appropriate and safe venue for skateboarders.

A public hearing and a final adoption of this ordinance is scheduled for March 28.

Beck once again evoked the "B-word" contending that the mayor and council were in effect banning the use of sandwich sidewalk signs by enforcing the existing ordinance prohibiting their use by borough merchants.

Administrator Stanley Sickels stated that the borough intended to mail notices to area businesses informing them that they have until April 15 to remove the signs.

Beck disputed that this was an issue for many residents. She said that over the summer she visited residents and "hit easily 1,500 doors and not one single resident brought up the sandwich [board]."

Beck also said she believed that this ban would have a great impact on smaller businesses and that it smacked of "a little hypocrisy." If the mayor was concerned with seniors and handicap accessibility, he should address the crosswalks and the lack of parking for the handicapped on Broad Street, she said.

The mayor defended his administration, stating he believed it to be the most "business friendly administration ever."

"Will every business and merchant be happy with every decision you make? Absolutely not," he said. "You have to take a stand and vote your principles. This is a matter of public safety."