Letter: ‘Portable’ hoops an obstruction

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003 | 8:55 a.m.

In his Feb. 4 column, Jeff German referred to the rule that prohibits Summerlin North residents from leaving "portable" (portable -- capable of being carried or moved about) basketball hoops in the street more or less permanently as "silly."

I don't live in Summerlin. I do, however, live on a street that has households that have made these "portable" hoops a permanent feature. Personally, I wouldn't really care if someone has a "portable" basketball hoop in front of their home save for one thing. They are an obstruction to vehicle and/or pedestrian traffic.

In the case of the two that are in place on my street, they rest on the sidewalk, which forces my wife and I, when we take our children for a walk, to either push the stroller out in the street or take it across the lawn. In either case, a minor inconvenience. But we shouldn't be forced to do either. Sidewalks are aptly named. They are where people walk beside the road.

In addition, whether your "portable" basketball hoop is on the sidewalk or in the street, it is in a public right-of-way, a clear violation of not only neighborhood association rules, but the law. If one were to leave a vehicle, even one that is in perfect running condition, on a public right-of-way for more than a few days without moving it, one could expect a citation and eventually to have the vehicle towed.

Municipal rules and regulations aside, the people complaining about not being able to leave basketball hoops on the street knew the rules when they moved in. The only thing that has changed is the residents willingness to adhere to them.

RICHARD WASSMUTH