CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A tie vote means the Cleveland City Council failed Monday to opt out of a new state law that will allow people with concealed-carry permits to bring weapons into city parks.
Council members Bambi Hines, Bill Estes and Avery Johnson voted in favor of keeping guns out of city parks. Members George Poe, Richard Banks and David May voted no. Councilman Bill Robertson absent.
Council members did not discuss the issue, but received a recommendation from City Manager Janice Casteel against guns in parks. Ms. Casteel’s memo said only city police should be allowed to carry guns in city parks.
The tie means the council could vote again if members wish to do so. The deadline to opt out of the state law is Sept. 1.
Randall Higgins covers news in Cleveland, Tenn., for the Times Free Press. He started work with the Chattanooga Times in 1977 and joined the staff of the Chattanooga Times Free Press when the Free Press and Times merged in 1999. Randall has covered Southeast Tennessee, Northwest Georgia and Alabama. He now covers Cleveland and Bradley County and the neighboring region. Randall is a Cleveland native. He has bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University. His awards ...
Or login with:
New Account