Neighbors file lawsuit against lawnmower track owner

Neighbors of a lawnmower race track in Glade Valley filed court documents Monday seeking to close the track and pay them reparations for their “loss of use and enjoyment of their property.” About 50 names were listed as plaintiff’s on the suit, which was filed by Attorney Norwood Robinson of Winston-Salem law firm Robinson and Lawing.

The lead plaintiff is Bill Leslie, a Raleigh television news personality who earlier spoke at an Alleghany County Commission meeting complaining about the track and the noise it would likely create. A number of property owners in that area also voiced concerns during the meeting.

The county did not act on the matter, but noted that a lawsuit could be an option for the neighbors. The commotion prompted the commissioners to take another look at land use planning in the county, a move that is still under way. A 15-member board has been appointed to study the issue, with the goal of reporting back to the county by January 2006. Named in the suit is the track’s operator, Ronnie Woodie, both individually and in his capacity as owner of Highland View Motorsports Park Inc. on Mountain View Road.

At a commission meeting in late April, Woodie said through a spokesperson that he planned to donate money to schools and community groups and that he only had planned five races per year. Another race is scheduled for Saturday night at the track at 7 p.m.

According to the complaint, Leslie’s property, and that of the other plaintiffs, is located near that of Eva Todd, the mother-in-law of Woodie. Todd granted Woodie “the right to use her property in a manner that interferes with the use and enjoyment of the property of the plaintiffs and other persons who reside in the area,” the lawsuit states.

The property is currently being used to hold lawnmower races. The operation includes bleachers, bright lights and loud speakers, said the document. The complaint noted when a race is underway, the neighboring plaintiffs are unable to carry on “normal” conversations in their homes or listen to music.

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