OOIDA Call to Action - Indiana members
June 1, 2009

Heads up, Indiana truckers!!

Hobart, IN - An ordinance to ban overnight parking outside Wal-Mart and other local stores passed the City Council on a first vote Wednesday. The proposal was approved on a 5-2 vote. 

Councilman Jerry Herzog said he's received a number of complaints from residents about the growing number of trucks and RVs that make overnight stops in Hobart's largest retail district.

At-large Councilwoman Monica Wiley said she voted against the ordinance because it was unnecessary and flies in the face of Hobart's as "the friendly city."

"We're doing everything we can to discourage truck drivers," Wiley said. "This is just a ridiculous ordinance."

Councilman Pete Mendez joined Wiley in voting against the measure after pointing out that in two years the police department has never received a complaint about the trucks.

"I'd rather have a truck driver pull over and rest in a shopping center parking lot rather than falling asleep at the wheel," Mendez said.

Unfortunately, the council majority wants to stop trucks and RVs from lining up outside Wal-Mart instead of pulling into a truck stop.

That would be great if there was a truck stop in Hobart, but there is not!  The closest truck stop is at least 7 miles away and has approximately 20 parking spots for trucks.  Truckers that travel that route frequently say finding parking in that small lot is next to impossible.

The ban is expected to come for a final voted on June 3.  If the ordinance passes the fine for violations could be up to $2500!!

The meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 414 Main Street, Hobart, IN.

If you can attend the meeting, you should do so.  If you can’t attend the meeting, make calls to council members Herzog, Rosenbaum, Vinzant, Brezik and Clauseen and let them know that truckers must adhere to federal regulations that mandate breaks. When a trucker is out of hours he has to stop -- BY LAW.  If a trucker is out of hours in Hobart and the nearest truck stop is 7 miles away and full, where should that trucker park??  Safety should come first and the council should abandon this ridiculous ordinance.

City Council

1st District Jerry Herzog; 7764 Montana St., Merrillville, IN. 46410; 219-942-2962

2nd District Pete Mendez; 34 N. Union St., Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-4922

3rd District Brian Rosenbaum; 2481 E. 9th. Place, Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-9692

4th District Dave Vinzant; 1535 W. 4th. Pl., Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-5781

5th District John Brezik; 250 N. Dearborn St., Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-6369 

At Large Monica Wiley; 100 S. Lake Park Ave., Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-4356

At Large Matthew Claussen; 2510 E. 10th. St., Hobart, IN 46342; 219-942-9399