Drizzt
Member
Township delays decision on guns
Thursday, April 21, 2005
By Jean Gallup
The Grand Rapids Press
LEIGHTON TOWNSHIP -- The Leighton Township Board has delayed a decision on who will be allowed to carry a gun while on township business.
A policy that would prevent Leighton Township's supervisor from having a weapon as he carries out his zoning enforcement duties was tabled last week to learn more about any impact on township insurance coverage and other legal questions.
Supervisor Spencer Moore, who notifies violators they must comply with township zoning rules, said he carries the weapon for his personal protection, and if he can't continue to carry a gun, the board will have to find someone else to do the job.
The policy, offered by Treasurer Char Troost, said only law enforcement personnel can carry a weapon while acting on behalf of the township.
Moore, who has been wearing a sidearm while enforcing zoning rules, said he knew it made some of the board members uncomfortable.
"My position is if I continue ordinance enforcement, I'll continue to protect myself, or I'll step down," Moore said. "It's a condition of my doing it. ... I'm not a violent person; it's strictly for my own protection."
Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis said he couldn't "step down" because the job was legally a part of his duties as supervisor.
Moore and Nieuwenhuis gave conflicting accounts of conversations with the township insurance carrier; Moore said the company took no position on his carrying a weapon; Nieuwenhuis said she was told the "township was in jeopardy of having our coverage canceled," if he did.
"We don't have need here in Leighton," she said, but some in the audience disagreed, noting they have home security systems because of their concerns about some residents.
Trustee Brian Martin said he didn't like the idea of Moore carrying a gun.
Allegan County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Haan told the board that deputies handle zoning enforcement in other townships.
Trustee Ronald Haveman asked that a decision be tabled, "until we figure out what we're going to do; find out if he has to do it, if we can use officers and all the specifics. And, talk to the insurance company again.
"If the guy told you two different things, you need to clear it up."
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1114096533203030.xml
Thursday, April 21, 2005
By Jean Gallup
The Grand Rapids Press
LEIGHTON TOWNSHIP -- The Leighton Township Board has delayed a decision on who will be allowed to carry a gun while on township business.
A policy that would prevent Leighton Township's supervisor from having a weapon as he carries out his zoning enforcement duties was tabled last week to learn more about any impact on township insurance coverage and other legal questions.
Supervisor Spencer Moore, who notifies violators they must comply with township zoning rules, said he carries the weapon for his personal protection, and if he can't continue to carry a gun, the board will have to find someone else to do the job.
The policy, offered by Treasurer Char Troost, said only law enforcement personnel can carry a weapon while acting on behalf of the township.
Moore, who has been wearing a sidearm while enforcing zoning rules, said he knew it made some of the board members uncomfortable.
"My position is if I continue ordinance enforcement, I'll continue to protect myself, or I'll step down," Moore said. "It's a condition of my doing it. ... I'm not a violent person; it's strictly for my own protection."
Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis said he couldn't "step down" because the job was legally a part of his duties as supervisor.
Moore and Nieuwenhuis gave conflicting accounts of conversations with the township insurance carrier; Moore said the company took no position on his carrying a weapon; Nieuwenhuis said she was told the "township was in jeopardy of having our coverage canceled," if he did.
"We don't have need here in Leighton," she said, but some in the audience disagreed, noting they have home security systems because of their concerns about some residents.
Trustee Brian Martin said he didn't like the idea of Moore carrying a gun.
Allegan County Sheriff's Deputy Kevin Haan told the board that deputies handle zoning enforcement in other townships.
Trustee Ronald Haveman asked that a decision be tabled, "until we figure out what we're going to do; find out if he has to do it, if we can use officers and all the specifics. And, talk to the insurance company again.
"If the guy told you two different things, you need to clear it up."
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1114096533203030.xml