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Talent delays enforcing skateboarding rules By WENDY SIPOREN TALENT -- Talent skateboarders have escaped a crackdown by the city -- for now, at least. The City Council put off a decision on an ordinance which would have given police officers the authority to confiscate skateboards from individuals who violate skateboarding rules more than once in a two-year period. City Administrator Leahnette York described the proposed change as adding some teeth to the city's ban against skating downtown. Currently, violators must appear before a judge and may be fined. The city has a problem with a "hardcore handful" of skateboarders who blatently disregard city rules, said Lt. Elmer Kammel of the Talent Police Department. "They outwardly tell us they're not going to abide by it. They just have no regard for the ordinance or the laws," said Kammel. "It's a small problem, but we have to have the tools to make the problem go away." Although no skateboarders testified against the proposed change, several council members said it was unnecessarily punitive and would not solve the problem of repeat offenders. "It sounds like a parenting job," said councilwoman Joi Riley. "I'm not sure that government can solve those kind of problems.'' Council member-elect Kim McCormick told the council it was a "bad move" for the government to start taking away people's possessions for minor infractions. "I think it may breed more anger at police and government," she said. Several council members supported the idea of community service in lieu of confiscating skateboards. The council directed York to tone down the ordinance by reducing the two-year time period. In other business, the council: Endorsed a proposal from assistant planner Kevin Cronin to seek a community forestry grant for riparian planting, litter removal, a city tree inventory and environmental education. Directed York to purchase a 20-year supply of water rights from Lost Creek Lake. Increased the daily pay for reserve police officers from $26 to $50. Set the monthly pay for the mayor at $150 and for council members at $125 effective Jan. 1 as approved by Talent voters. Adopted an annexation ordinance voters approved in November. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA