Plenty stirrings at City Hall, despite canceled meeting

The Olney City Council’s decision to cancel its Dec. 26 meeting only adds to its 2017 work-load with councilmen set to approve an amendment to a resolution that would lift gun restrictions in city limits.

The measure was given a preliminary approval following the council’s Dec. 12 meeting and set for final approval last Monday, before the announced cancellation of the meeting. 

Olney Police Chief Barry Roberts said the measure simply eliminates language in the city’s current statutes that could lead to fines for a citizen discharging a firearm, even if it is in the defense of his or her own safety or property.

“The current ordinance says that you cannot fire a firearm within city limits,” Roberts said, following the Dec. 12 meeting. “The way it was worded, if someone was breaking into your home and you fired a gun to defend yourself, the courts may find you not guilty, but you may have to pay a $250 fine for firing a gun. This just cleaned up the language.”

The council may also hear a report from fellow Councilors Andrew McPhie and Tommy Kimbro regarding a long-term lease with the Olney Independent School District, which the district hopes will pave the way for improvements to the baseball and softball complex that could include a new press box and scoreboard.