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# Let ’Em Ride: Brett Baumrucker's Off-Road Downtown Dream
- URL: https://www.thestreatorstandard.com/f/let-em-ride-brett-baumruckers-off-road-downtown-dream/
- Published: 2025-06-26T22:28:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-19T13:59:01.000Z
- Author: The Streator Standard
- Tags: Opinion

There are two kinds of people in every town: those who complain about what can’t be done, and those who ask, “Why not?” Brett Baumrucker is clearly in the second group—and his latest idea is shifting gears.

It’s called *Let’m Ride Day*. One Saturday each summer, Streator would open up its downtown to golf carts, side-by-sides, scooters, four-wheelers, motorized bicycles, and e-bikes. Instead of threatening tickets, the city would welcome them—parking downtown, grabbing breakfast, catching live music at Plumb Pavilion, maybe even kicking off the day with a cruise to the canoe launch.

The goal? To create something spontaneous, local, and—most importantly—fun.

### From Facebook to Main Street

This idea didn’t come out of a boardroom. It came from a Facebook comment. And judging by the responses, Brett hit a nerve in the best way:

> *“I LOVE this idea!! How do we make it happen?”* 
> *“You are always full of great ideas!”* 
> *“Sounds like something everyone could enjoy 😊”*

Others backed it up with precedent:

> *“Pontiac just legalized them. Now we’d just be following suit instead of leading the pack.”* 
> *“In Marseilles, side-by-sides drive downtown with an orange placard on the back.”*

And while the noise and safety concerns came up—as they always do—Brett responded like someone who actually listens:

> *“Even if it’s just for one day, it could be a good time… People WANT to drive these types of vehicles around. For at least one day we should let them relax and do it.”*

He even suggested a Sunday pilot program, easing into it slowly:

> *“Sundays are relaxing days… At least golf carts and side-by-sides. If it doesn’t go well, we can always take it back. But not trying at all isn’t fun.”*

### More Than a Gimmick

Beyond the novelty, *Let’m Ride Day* taps into something deeper: people want to feel free in their own town. They want to enjoy the things they already own, show off what they’ve built in their garages, and do it all without the fear of getting hassled. They want *something* to look forward to.

Marsha Evans put it best:

> *“Anything that creates a positive attitude & atmosphere would be great. With everything leaving town, we need innovative ideas & events to keep businesses thriving & give people things to do.”*

That’s what this is. It’s not about horsepower or rebellion—it’s about participation.

### Streator’s Chance to Be First

Sure, other towns have caught on. Pontiac. Marseilles. Dwight. But we could still be the first to give off-road culture its *own* day.

Imagine 4-wheelers parked around City Park like a mini show. Families grabbing coffee from More on Main while kids admire home-built e-bikes. A punk rock cover band playing “Basket Case” while someone in a camo golf cart claps along. And yes—Cindy Wolff-Hickey *can* bring her horse and buggy, because why not?

The city could even charge a small fee or sell one-day permits, helping local shops and the city budget at the same time. As Nicholas Johnston pointed out:

> *“The city could have been making money off selling stickers and helping automotive businesses in town thrive.”*

### Let’s Not Overthink It

Of course there will be resistance. Someone will bring up noise. Someone will point to the one kid popping wheelies. But as Brett replied, “You have to change with the times or you’re going to get left behind.”

There’s risk in doing something new—but a bigger risk in doing nothing.

So maybe it’s time we took the governor off the civic imagination and gave Streator something unexpected to be proud of.

Let ’em ride. Just once. And see where it takes us.