All Golf Car/cart enthusiast were delighted when on Thursday, June 23rd, Calhoun County Commissioners’ Court passed a resolution approving state legislation to allow golf car/carts on county roads. The State’s document is set to become effective on January 1, 2012. According to Calhoun County Assistant District Attorney, Shannon Salyer, January 1, 2012 is the correct date.

Mr. Salyer clarified the confusion by saying the original bill by Representative Todd Hunter, if it passed with two-thirds majority, would be effective immediately, and if not two-thirds, it would have become effective September 1, 2011.

“It got stuck in the Senate Transportation Committee and then was attached to the Omnibus Transportation bill and didn’t have an effective date, “ Salyer said. “The resolution passed by Commissioner’s Court doesn’t include any effective date,” said Salyer. “The bottom line is that January is correct,” the Assistant District Attorney said.

The issue of using golf cars/carts on the streets of Port O’Connor and other unincorporated areas of Calhoun County has become very confusing and complicated. The MAIN OBJECTIVE of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety is to ensure ALL vehicles operated in our county and state are done so in a LEGAL AND SAFE manner while saving lives.

Just keep in mind that at this time it is STILL ILLEGAL to operate any golf car/cart, or similar vehicle on any public street in Port O’Connor and other unincorporated areas of Calhoun County. By using the car/cart, a person takes a risk being stopped and receiving a citation. Until January 1, 2012, there will always be that possibility.

-Nancy Pomykal, Justice of the Peace