By Rupert Howell
A group of local citizens concerned about new rules for off the road vehicles at local U.S. Corps of Engineer controlled lakes in North Mississippi have scheduled a meeting for Monday at 7 p.m. at the Civitan Building on Panola Avenue across from First Baptist Church in Batesville.
“With the decline of family oriented events available to families in the north Mississippi area, these restrictions deter and discourage family involvement opportunities,” Keith Moore, spokesman for group, said on his Facebook page.

Topics for discussion will be age limit requirements, defining ditches and creeks and benefits riders bring to the community by spending money for gas, food and lodging, Moore’s FB page continues.

Rules were to be enforced beginning October 1. They include: anyone riding on an off road vehicle (ORV) must wear approved helmet at all times; drivers must possess driver’s license or certificate of ATV safety course; no drivers may be under 16; and no person may operate ORV . . . bodies of water, except to ford at the lowest practicable safe speed, in a manner to cause the  least damage to banks and bed when necessary to continue travel.

“Rules are not laws. Rules can be changed. . . We must stand up and try to change them,” the Facebook post states.

Local state representatives have been invited and speakers include; Tripp Pullen, Lee Camp, Jeremy Moore, Don Coleman and others.

Food will be provided by a local sponsor according to Moore who said further information can be obtained by contacting Kylee708@yahoo.com