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County won’t be participant in bicycle race

By Joel Walsh - | Mar 14, 2007

The United States Cycling Federation can a road race in May in Leavenworth County, but it won’t have the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department as a partner.

Sheriff David Zoellner met Monday with Leavenworth County Commissioners about a request by the federation to have sheriff’s officers direct traffic, control unleashed dogs and, in general, ensure the safety of cyclists for their road race scheduled for Sunday, May 20, on County Road 14-Santa Fe Trail.

Commissioner Clyde Graeber expressed disinterest in being a party to the event, citing possible liability issues for the county

One resident present who travels County Road 14 daily explained that cars trying to pass cyclists on County Road 14 — like on County Roads 5 and 8 — can endanger themselves and other vehicles.

Commission Chairman J.C. Tellefson said, given that cyclists have a right to county roads like anyone else, he “wanted to figure out how to do these (road races) safely without affecting the people who live up and down these roads.”

County counselor David Van Parys suggested sending a letter to the race organizers stating bicyclists are free to use the road if the event is conducted in a safe and appropriate manner. The letter also will ask organizers to remove references to the Sheriff’s Department in literature about the race.

  • Approved a board order requiring Caleb French, owner of CC Trucking & Global Financial Services Inc., to remove and properly dispose of trash and junk from his property on DeHoff Drive in Tonganoxie within 30 days.
  • Followed the recommendation of public works director Bill Green in accepting a bid from Vegetation Management Supply, Inc. for two pull-behind sprayers to be used for the elimination and control of noxious weeds.
  • Approved a bid for two new GMC 4500 ambulances for the county’s Emergency Medical Service department at a cost of $114,199 after trade-in.
  • Met with Tim Goetz, director of special buildings, to try to find more cost effective solutions for the department.
  • Approved, 3-0, a five-year special use permit allowing Donald Lustig to operate a cabinet-making shop next to his home at 16684 State Ave. just outside Basehor.

Lustig’s application met with some opposition from neighbor Bill Grindle, who works nights and sleeps during the day, and from the City of Basehor, which according to planning director Dustin Smith, was not properly notified of the permit.

Lustig’s shop lies between island annexations by Basehor, with commercial property south of State Avenue and a subdivision to the north of Lustig’s property.

A privacy fence was stipulated in the approved permit.

  • Unanimously voted to renew for 15 years a special use permit for William and Tanya Poff’s welding shop at 35149 Chmidling Drive.
  • Unanimously approved a five-year special use permit for D.R. and Shirlee Rusk’s cabinet-making shop at 20187 183rd St. in Tonganoxie.