Council Says OK to Matches at Accident Sites
The majority of the Grove City Council is making it crystal clear that Police Chief Ivan Devitt is not "wunna-us." Unfortunately, the ultimate victims of their actions may be the citizens of Grove, whose safety is compromised at accident sites.
What should have been routine passage of a new city ordinance making it illegal to smoke or light a match within 50 feet of an accident involving spillage of fuel or other flammable material died for lack of a second at Tuesday's council meeting.
Chief Devitt had proposed the new ordinance because there is no current law on the books for such actions. He said he had checked with Fire Chief Lee Dollarhide who he said had endorsed the new ordinance, but councilman Mike Davenport disputed that, saying he had talked with the fire chief who said it was not necessary. However, Chief Devitt spoke again with Dollarhide the next morning and Dollarhide again endorsed the ordinance as a necessary safety tool, Devitt said. City Attorney Ron Cates also endorsed the new ordinance from a legal standpoint, saying if there is no law prohibiting smoking or lighting up, then the EMS, Fire and police workers at the accident scene would not have any protection and police could not make an arrest against the offender.
Councilman Terry Ryan made the motion to approve the ordinance, while the rest of the council sat silent, refusing to second the motion and vote. This is not the first time this has happened at the newly elected council sessions, dominated 4-1 by GrovePAC candidates.
Several councilman, notably Davenport and Parham, have previously made it known that they do not want Chief Devitt present at council meetings, in uniform, going so far as to have Acting City Manager Debbie Maviey issue new policies on police attendance at city meetings.
The main event on the Council agenda was postponed until the May 23 joint meeting with the GMSA Board, that being abating the proposed increases in utility rates planned to go into effect June 1. An earlier GMSA meeting spent so much time on other agenda items that it failed to allow for discussion on this item.
Council went into Executive Session at 7 p.m. to discuss employment of a new city manager and came out around 8 p.m. having taken no action.
In other business, Council designated May 19 as White Cane Day in Grove; waived application license fees for the solicitor permit for the Lions Club donations for White Cane Day; proclaimed May 19-26 as National Safe Boating Week, presenting proclamations to the Grand Lake Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; gave approval for a funding request from the Corkel foundation to purchase a generator for the police department, to cost $13,000. Council also awarded a bid to Automation and Control Technologies of Enid, Ok. for $14,226 for a new outdoor warning siren, provided it can be installed within 30 days. The new siren would be placed on Highway 59 near the water tower.
What should have been routine passage of a new city ordinance making it illegal to smoke or light a match within 50 feet of an accident involving spillage of fuel or other flammable material died for lack of a second at Tuesday's council meeting.
Chief Devitt had proposed the new ordinance because there is no current law on the books for such actions. He said he had checked with Fire Chief Lee Dollarhide who he said had endorsed the new ordinance, but councilman Mike Davenport disputed that, saying he had talked with the fire chief who said it was not necessary. However, Chief Devitt spoke again with Dollarhide the next morning and Dollarhide again endorsed the ordinance as a necessary safety tool, Devitt said. City Attorney Ron Cates also endorsed the new ordinance from a legal standpoint, saying if there is no law prohibiting smoking or lighting up, then the EMS, Fire and police workers at the accident scene would not have any protection and police could not make an arrest against the offender.
Councilman Terry Ryan made the motion to approve the ordinance, while the rest of the council sat silent, refusing to second the motion and vote. This is not the first time this has happened at the newly elected council sessions, dominated 4-1 by GrovePAC candidates.
Several councilman, notably Davenport and Parham, have previously made it known that they do not want Chief Devitt present at council meetings, in uniform, going so far as to have Acting City Manager Debbie Maviey issue new policies on police attendance at city meetings.
The main event on the Council agenda was postponed until the May 23 joint meeting with the GMSA Board, that being abating the proposed increases in utility rates planned to go into effect June 1. An earlier GMSA meeting spent so much time on other agenda items that it failed to allow for discussion on this item.
Council went into Executive Session at 7 p.m. to discuss employment of a new city manager and came out around 8 p.m. having taken no action.
In other business, Council designated May 19 as White Cane Day in Grove; waived application license fees for the solicitor permit for the Lions Club donations for White Cane Day; proclaimed May 19-26 as National Safe Boating Week, presenting proclamations to the Grand Lake Power Squadron and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; gave approval for a funding request from the Corkel foundation to purchase a generator for the police department, to cost $13,000. Council also awarded a bid to Automation and Control Technologies of Enid, Ok. for $14,226 for a new outdoor warning siren, provided it can be installed within 30 days. The new siren would be placed on Highway 59 near the water tower.
Labels: Council Meetings
posted by Editor | 1:15 AM
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