Travelers Rest City Council Report: Gun debate packs city hall

TRAVELERS REST, S.C. – Area residents, most of whom were in attendance to show their support of allowing concealed weapon permit holders the ability to carry firearms in Trailblazer Park, packed city hall for Thursday night's Travelers Rest City Council meeting.

As we reported Wednesday, a previously scheduled vote on a motion – whether to post signage restricting state-licensed concealed weapon permit holders from carrying concealed firearms within the park – was removed from Thursday's agenda.

At the time, council members said they decided to seek an opinion from the S.C. Attorney General's Office as to the legality of prohibiting permit holders from carrying firearms in the park, an open-air, public space set to officially open on May 3.

Even though the vote on the motion was not on Thursday's agenda, five area residents who had previously signed up to speak about the issue were given the opportunity. One resident spoke in support of a ban on concealed weapons, four residents spoke against.

Thursday's above-average turnout was aided, in part, by a YouTube video posted on Saturday, according to multiple people in attendance at the meeting. The video, which supports allowing permit holders to carry concealed firearms in the park, had been viewed nearly 10,000 times prior to the meeting. (View video on YouTube here.)

A synopsis of other key events are outlined below:

• Council members passed the second and final reading of an ordinance allowing for the sale of alcohol at Trailblazer Park. (Read more on the Tribune here.)

• Council members unanimously passed a resolution encouraging Greenville County to place a sales tax referendum to fund road improvements on the November ballot. The referendum would give registered voters the opportunity to decide on the one percent sales and use tax increase. (Read more on the Tribune here.)

• Council members unanimously approved first reading of an ordinance to rezone property located on Henderson Drive from R-10 (residential) to C-1 (commercial).

• Council members unanimously passed a motion to approve a settlement agreement with Key Two Investments, the owner of two mobile home parks in Travelers Rest. The agreement, among other things, requires Key Two Investments to improve screening/fencing, add gravel to driveways and parking areas, and seed bare areas at the parks. According to the agreement, the company has 90 days from the date of execution to complete the work.

• Mayor Wayne McCall proclaimed Friday, April 18, 2014, to be Travelers Rest High School Devildogs Boys Basketball Day, recognizing the team for their recent region championship win.

• Mayor Wayne McCall issued a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officer's Memorial Day in Travelers Rest. Flags will be flown at half staff, recognizing law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty as well as honoring those that presently serve.

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