City Council hears cellphones

Havre's impending cellphone law is progressing almost as fast as cellphone technology itself.

The City Council held a public hearing on Monday night to get an idea of the public's opinion before they look at the ordinance at the May 2 council meeting.

For most of the hearing's 20 minutes, the views, half of which were from the council itself, were mostly in favor.

"I went over the draft, and I was very happy with it, " council member Allen "Woody" Woodwick said, continuing his long support of the ordinance. "I think it's something that would increase the safety of everyone driving. "

Council member Pam Hillery said she had heard from constituents who wanted specific statistics on the sort of accidents that would necessitate such a law.

Assistant Police Chief Gabe Matosich said that the Havre Police Department did not have such specific numbers right now, but it was obvious that there is a problem.

"It would take a while to compile any hard numbers on that, " Matosich said. "But just from experience, we're always seeing people driving and talking. "

City Prosecutor Tammi Barkus said that she has, in the past few years, seen that "these incidents have increased ten-fold. "

LeAnn Lee, Montana State University-Northern student senate president, told the council that she supports the bill.

"I hope you seriously consider putting this into effect, " Lee said. "As a future traffic education instructor, I am concerned about my future students. "

Not everyone, however, was totally on board.

Local attorney Brian Lilletvedt questioned why, with countless distractions including eating, animals, small children, spilled drinks or iPod use, was this particular issue was being focused on.

"This ordinance takes a hot button issue and tries to ban it, " Lilletvedt said. "It's very popular right now, but I think you're jumping the gun. "