Marshfield, Wis (WSAU) — Marshfield’s Common Council has voted to reinstate the city’s ordinance making it illegal to talk on a hand-held cell phone while driving in that city. That ordinance was temporarily suspended back in March when it was discovered that it conflicted with state law and could be challenged in court, but Council members like Tom Buttke said that for him, preventing accidents trump the threat of possible legal challenges in the future. According to Buttke, “I don’t want to be responsible for not getting this ordinance enacted again, and someone getting hurt or killed.” Alderperson and lawyer Alana Feddick was one of those voting against the reinstatement because she says a legal challenge to the law is inevitable. “I continue to be against enforcement of this,” Feddick said, “I think it’s just prone to challenge and especially since we’re making a record of it. I have no doubt that people are watching this, and will certainly challenge it.”
That reinstatement goes into effect immediately, and passed Marshfield’s Common Council by a vote of seven to three.
A number of other central Wisconsin communities in our area have similar bans on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
by Terry Pezl, WSAU
