Well, so much for consistency in New Hampshire's concept of local control. Given a recent court ruling on the issue of ATV trails in Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon, it appears that local control is the watchword only when it doesn't interfere with something the state wants to do.

In this case, the state wants to allow private landowners to open their property to ATV clubs regardless of how it might lower surrounding property values or increase the noise and pollution neighbors must face.

We don't fault Superior Court Judge Robert Lynn, who made the ruling, but we certainly fault the state Bureau of Trails for thumbing its nose in the face of local control.

Now it is most certainly true that we have often championed bigger government's right to tell smaller governmental entitles what they must do. Had bigger government not stepped in to right a wrong or to make sure that all people are treated equally.

In the case of ATV use in Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon, there was no wrong to right and no absence of equality.

The inherent message in the state's interference in the rights of the majority in Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon to block ATV parks is this: Every town is open to incursion by the ATV/Bureau of Trails legions who care nothing for our property values nor for our right to peace and quiet. That said, at least Judge Lynn gave the towns the right to regulate the hours of operations, and the location of picnic areas and sanitary facilities.

We hope Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon officials will use their power to regulate to the utmost.

Meanwhile, we advise ATV users to try taking a walk. It's good exercise, fights demon fat, and doesn't pollute the air.