Region Rail: Guns proposed for City Hall

FRANKLIN, Tenn.

Guns proposed for City Hall

An alderman in Franklin wants to loosen city restrictions so people could carry guns into City Hall and other municipal buildings.

Alderman Dana McLendon said people with carry permits should be able to have weapons in city buildings in case of emergency.

The Tennessean reported McLendon's proposal is getting a tepid reception. Mayor Ken Moore said he doesn't see the need of armed citizens in municipal buildings, but is willing to discuss the issue.

Franklin City Administrator Eric Stuckey said with the city courtroom and most city administrative offices at City Hall, some issues cause emotions to run high and sometimes people get decisions they don't like.

McLendon said there should be more people with guns everywhere.


ATLANTA

Lottery offers incentive pay

Top Georgia Lottery executives received large payouts and raises despite a law meant to curb bonuses.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports more than $260,000 worth of "incentive pay" went to top staffers in 2011. Then-Lottery President Margaret DeFrancisco received the largest amount, almost $83,000.

Lawmakers that year passed legislation to curtail bonuses for Lottery executives. At the time, both ticket sales and payments to state education programs were declining.

Georgia Lottery Board Chairman Jimmy Braswell says the organization followed the law.

Lottery spokeswoman Tandi Reddick says the pay increases were a result of promotions and additional work taken on by top lottery executives.

A former lawmaker who pushed for limits, Bill Hembree, of Winston, calls the payments disheartening. He says the General Assembly meant to stop all such bonuses.

Upcoming Events