Letters to the Editor

Letter: Rail Trail Sign Torn Down

Resident Lee Weidner says a sign that prohibits ATVs and dirt bikes on the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown was torn down, but has been rehung.

To the editor: Gee, whiz, guess what I found discarded in the woods below Blinderman's of Hellertown? Lying there innocently lay a red and white sign posted by the Borough of Hellertown previously. Once upon a time, a few years ago, the wooded areas nearby were to be sold to a notorious developer by certain borough officials. They, however, were thwarted by the citizenry who wished the woodland not to be sold and ruined. Recently, citizens have had the pleasure of a beautiful walking and biking trail, only to be unlawfully invaded by ignorant dirt bikes with motors and ATVs. Well, it really was the riders who are ignorant, not the loud, speeding vehicles with no mind of their own. Certain Neanderthal interlopers always try to ruin a good …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Hellertown's 'Stonehenge' Necessary

Borough resident Lee Weidner says he appreciates the boulder barricade erected at the north end of the Saucon Rail Trail. The wall's stated goal is to block access for ATV riders.

To the editor: To me, it's fun to entertain the thought that in the 21st century, we need to revert to prehistoric tactics of the Stone Age to discourage the interlopers in the form of ATV drivers who wish to ruin the Hellertown portion of the Rails to Trails and disrupt the peace and quiet of the Thomas Iron wildlife refuge. However, do whatever works. I appreciate the boulder barricade at the west end of Thomas Avenue and the efforts of those who placed it there. No ATVs will enter or leave the area by that route. Thank you. May the boulders prevail also at other locations. Let the Neanderthals be subdued. Stonehenge of Hellertown. Lee Weidner Hellertown

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Rocks to Help Deter Rail Trail Scofflaws, Chief Says

Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Oct. 15 that rocks have been installed at the Saucon Rail Trail's north end, to block access for ATV and dirt bike-riders.

An effort is being made to restrict rail trail access for dirt bike and ATV-riders, Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council Oct. 15. Shupp said rocks have been placed at the north end of the trail "at the Hellertown and Bethlehem line," where the path narrows considerably. Pedestrians will be able to bypass the rocks, "but you couldn't get a four-wheeler through (the barricade)," he said. The action was taken in response to complaints about people riding dirt bikes and ATVs on the trail, where motorized vehicles are prohibited. "We're hoping that'll stop it," the chief told council. Shupp said that if the barricade of boulders doesn't prevent riders from speeding up and down the trail, it might be an indication that they …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Citizens Must Step Up to Help Keep Trail Safe

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner says the public's help is needed to apprehend the people who continue to illegally ride motorized dirt bikes and ATVs on the Saucon Rail Trail.

To the Editor: As a public safety concern, walkers and bike riders on the northern end of Hellertown's portion of Saucon Rails to Trails, beware of speeding motorized dirt bikes and ATVs. During the last several months, there have been many close calls of adults, children and dogs nearly run over by unconcerned law breakers reaching speeds of 40mph on both the new trail and the old trail leading to the Cinderbanks. Anyone who observes or hears these vehicles should immediately phone the Northampton County non-emergency dispatcher at 610-759-2200 to request Hellertown Police assistance. Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp has been working hard to apprehend offenders of the law in this area. Citizens' help is needed to quickly notify the …

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Resident Says ATVs, Dirt Bikers Tearing Up Trail

Hellertown resident Lee Weidner told Borough Council Sept. 17 that "intruders" on dirt bikes and ATVs are damaging Hellertown's section of the Saucon Rail Trail.

Several "intruders" are damaging parts of the Saucon Rail Trail and harassing law-abiding pedestrians and bicyclists by riding dirt bikes and ATVs in violation of posted signs, Hellertown resident Lee Weidner told Borough Council Sept. 17. The use of motorized vehicles is forbidden on the trail, which has become a popular recreational area since its May 2011 opening. Weidner, who is a frequent trail-hiker, said the problems are occurring between Thomas Avenue and the trail's northern terminus at Bachman Street. In one recent instance, Weidner said a woman who was pushing a baby stroller near that part of the trail "was almost run over" by a juvenile on a dirt bike. Calling the current situation "a clear case of public safety," he said he's…

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Hugh Gallagher

4:13 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013

3 generations of my family used the rail trail area for decades ( before it was the Rail Trail). We fished, swam , rafted, picked wild mushrooms, ran dogs + dirtbikes . We did it with enough common sense and consideration for others that it was never an issue. I used to get visitors who used the train and I would pick them up at the old train station. We are thankful the trail now but it was …   more ›

Man Accused of Riding Stolen Motorcycle on Trail

Hellertown police say Orlando Camacho Gonzalez was in possession of a stolen motorcycle on the Saucon Rail Trail July 14.

Riding motorcycles is forbidden on the Saucon Rail Trail, but that didn't stop a Bethlehem man from riding a stolen bike down the popular path, Hellertown police said Tuesday. In a press release, police said Orlando Camacho Rodriguez, of the 1000 block of Evans Street, was found to be in possession of a stolen motorcycle on the trail on July 14 at approximately 7:47pm. Police said they made contact with Rodriguez and several other individuals after receiving a complaint about people riding motorcycles and ATVs on the trail in the vicinity of Bachman Street. Theft and borough ordinance charges are pending against Rodriguez, police said.

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