Montpelier cops stop unregistered charity lawnmower

[Spencer]

If only the guy had been riding for government-funded health care he would have been successful.

Published March 17, 2007
Mich. man's charity mower ride derailed for lack of registration
Midday update

Associated Press


MONTPELIER, Vt. - A Michigan man's effort to drive around he country on a lawnmower to raise money for charity might have been cut short by a police officer who said his vehicle needed to be registered to be used on public roads.

Louis Ransom, also known as ''Travlndude,'' of Fife Lake, Mich., stopped in Montpelier on Friday hoping to meet the governor when he was stopped by Montpelier Officer Jim Pontbriand.

''Vehicles that travel on our highways are required to be registered and to have a plate,'' Pontbriand said.

Ransom said he'd researched the registration requirements for each state.

He said he thought that ''as long as I had a slow-moving vehicle sign I would be OK, but my research must not have been thorough enough.''

Ransom's vehicle was escorted to a state parking lot.

Ransom, 48, a cross-country truck driver, said he started his ride in Portland, Maine, on Monday. His vehicle is a Dixie Chopper, loaned to him by the manufacturer for the duration of the fundraiser.

Ransom said he'd been stopped by a Vermont State Police trooper, but the trooper let him continue, just urging him to keep well to the right.

Ransom said he'd done some ''bad things in my life, but I want to make a dent doing some good.''

Ransom said he was committed to continuing his drive. He is raising money for the Children's Miracle Network and Shriner's Hospitals For Children. He also wants to meet people.

''Every child deserves good health care,'' said Ransom. ''Your state is a very good state. Its laws are a hindrance right at the moment, don't get me wrong, but I've already met a lot of great people.''

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070317/NEWS01/70317005

[KBCraig]

A quick check of the Vermont statutes shows that farm tractors may be used on public roads without registration. I imagine the mower is classed as a "non-farm tractor", which requires an annual registration fee of $20.



Digging a little more, I see that Vt. treats vehicles as properly registered, if they comply with the laws of the home state.