Story from countywide…

I have to say I am somewhat amused by this. Mainly because it seems clear to me they are just wanting to cover thier asses. It practically screams lets get our story straight/together . COVER UP. I think Mr. Thompson just doesn’t want to answer to the problems he greatly helped create. If they didn’t have anything to hide they wouldn’t be so worried about it.    Updated: Thursday, October 09, 2008

Tecumseh Set To Talk About Shooting Range But Who’ll Talk To The Media? By Gloria Trotter   The Tecumseh City Council covered a lot of ground in a relatively short time Monday night, but stalled briefly on issues concerning the gun range and “interaction with the media.” After considerable discussion on both, some action was taken on the gun range situation but none – yet – on a policy for talking to the media. The city-owned firing range at Tecumseh Lake was shut down last June after a few complaints and some concerns from members of the council about conditions there. The range has been leased to and operated by the Tecumseh Shooting Club for many years. The issue has been on the council agenda each month since the closure without much forward progress. The council has been stymied by the lack of regulations on such operations, and some members have indicated they’d like to close it permanently. But members of the shooting club have promised to work with the city to address the concerns. “If we’re going to have a range, we need an oversight group to develop guidelines, an ordinance,” said Mayor John Collier, who was proactive in shutting the range down. “Or do we want the council to act as that group?” “There have to be some people from the gun club as well as people from the city,” said Ward 2 Council Member Jimmy Jordan. “And there should be a police officer.” The council seemed uncertain about what to do and even discussed tabling the matter another month. Finally City Manager Jim Thompson suggested that Ward 4 Council Member Willis Faye Motley be named to the group since “her ward had some complaints.” He suggested two members from the council, two from the gun club and a police representative. Motley recalled that Charlie Price, who has been representing the gun club, was to suggest some guidelines. “The committee will need to work with that,” she said. At that point, Jordan made a motion to appoint a committee, but when City Attorney Ben McCullar asked who would be on it, Jordan said “we don’t know enough yet.” That brought on another round of confused discussion, which ended when Thompson said ordinance isn’t needed since it would be a “short-term fix.” He suggested two citizens, one gun club representative, one council member and one police officer make up the committee. Jordan agreed with that and amended his motion, which passed 4-0 (Ward 1 Council Member Trace Brown was absent). Proposed members of the committee will be named and probably appointed at the next council meeting. As for the media issue, Collier said he put that on the agenda because “we’ve run into a snag with the media – not our local media – just showing up and putting the staff and city manager on the spot.” He said he wondered if the city needs a policy “to decide who is going to interact with the media.” The other council members seemed somewhat reluctant to go in that direction. “The police chief spoke to the media last week,” observed Motley. “Was there a problem with that?” “No,” the mayor replied. “I’m concerned with limiting it,” said Vice Mayor Linda Praytor. “I do not think one person is capable of speaking for the city.” “That’s not what I’m saying,” said Collier. “Do we want people saying things that are not the position of the city?” McCullar warned the council to “be careful” about adopting such a policy because “it could come back to haunt us.” But, he added, “I think we should have a policy.” Media “interaction” apparently became an issue after Thompson discovered an Oklahoma City television station “set up in the city clerk’s office – those are the things that go on. I’m never going to interview with TV again.” The city manager said that was because one interview he granted was edited to the point that it was not accurate. “I do have an Irish temper,” Thompson said. “I don’t like a camera shoved in my face.” Praytor suggested that the city attorney check with other cities to see “what they’re doing.” Motley said she agreed “we need to address it, but we need somebody who knows what he’s doing.” No action was taken since it was on the agenda for discussion only