Bicyclists' Lack of Etiquette

It seems that Columbia residents who ride their bikes, adults and children, lack basic awareness of trail etiquette.

They are supposed to signal their arrival behind pedestrians and other slower cyclists. 

"Passing on your left" or "Coming up on your left" is suitable. 

Try it.

Before some one gets hurt.

A Government Body Cannot Encourage Public Use

Of privately owned property.

That's a 5th Amendment violation under the U.S. Constitution.  Clear and simple.  It's a takings.

The IL state constitution has a takings clause that also considers damage to private property by the government.  Compensation is required.  A recent IL SC case confirmed this. 

Interesting, eh?  Especially when one considers that upstream subdivisions are allowing a lot of trash into the creek that runs through our subdivision...and we pay to dredge at our stage of the creek.  Don't forget the wear and tear on the GV trail by public users; GV HOA maintains the trail through its HOA assessments.

Here is some analysis of Illinois' takings law and case history in light of Kelo.  It appears to be more restrictive than Kelo, as many states adopted more restrictive takings provisions.  Indeed, the takings would be for public use and enjoyment, but the City would have to "condemn" the property first to take it.

We Have a Right to Your Private Property!

So seem to say the many residents of Columbia, IL, who ignore the various notifications of private property at the demarcation of the City Trail and the Gedern Village Trail.  Signs are repeatedly torn down and taken, notices on the trail are scratched out.  A neighbor does not appear to be with the rest of us and welcomes trespassers.  And those folks run us down on their bikes.  Their dogs champ at the bit to attack us and our dogs.  The dogs leave remembrances as well. The crowds of joggers push us to the side.

All on our own property.  No peaceful quiet walks any more.  No safety any more.

Our HOA must take action soon as once the weather clears, it will be Katy bar the door.

Big Brother Listening In

Mr Mark Zuckerberg et al are listening in...all the time...?

The future is now and it's scary, eh?

I have a Facebook account for job seeking purposes.  I rarely post to it.  I don't zip around Facebook at all.  I don't log on to see what others are posting.  I have no idea what goes on at Facebook.  That's a good thing.

Private Property Seems to Offend

When one talks to others, they are offended that they cannot use your property.  Notifications of private property offend those who don't own it and want to enjoy the property owned and maintained by private parties. Scary, eh?

Defined private property rights are a basic ingredient to a free society and economy.  We can keep what we work for (excepting taxes).  No one can simply take what is our without our consent.  That is what the Soviets and socialists do.  This "redistributive justice" isn't fair or sensible.  It creates further resentment and divisions.

Star of the Day

One man turned around at our property line.  He gets star of the day!

Disturbing Signs

Well, first off, apparently a lady is disturbed by our private property signs and notifications.  She doesn't accept that she cannot trespass on private property.  Go, ask City Hall.  They will tell you, not happily, though.

The City is going forward with its plans to steamroll us.  At the west end we see stakes are in place to mark a walkway to a parking lot.  That's crossing the Rubicon.  That's a bridge too far for several GV residents who didn't care a whole lot about our trail.  We'll see what happens next.

The City does not have our trail, however.