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Procedure Denies Gun Show Request

The Cheyenne County Commissioners voted against a request to have a firearms show at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds.

The vote was based on procedure, not a lack of support for firearms.

Skip Fricke of High Plains Shooter Supply submitted a request for use of the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds building for the weekend of January 15-16.

Sheriff Adam Frerichs was present for the telephone discussion with Fricke.

Fricke said the event is a gun show with vendors. He said he would at the facility overnight, and a “guard dog” would be in the event center. He estimated there would be $1 million in inventory at the event.

Sheriff Frerichs said he was concerned with a dog in the building. Fricke said the dog is not a “bite-dog.” Frerichs also questioned Fricke's philosophy on confronting and detaining a possible intruder. The commissioners said they support gun sales and ownership. One of the conflicts is the application was not submitted in a timely manner.

County Attorney Paul Schaub said NIRMA (Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association) frowns on using a county facility for a non-county event. County commissioner Phil Sanders said he is not anti-gun; he is concerned about the liability.

Fricke said he has never had a problem at a show.

“We've got rules to follow,” he said.

The commissioners also approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Tyler Industries regarding the Vetra Spec Program. The program is a yearly subscription that assists the Veteran Service Office. Tyler Industries bought out Vetra, according to Veteran Service Officer Fred Wiedeburg.

The commissioners also discussed with Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Tom Payne the option of dedicating the former Jaycees building as a law enforcement headquarters as needed.

“I'm not opposed to it. I just don't want one more building to take care of,” Commissioner Randy Miller said.

The commissioners also approved a liquor license to Melissa Norgard for the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, and Mindy Wiegand for the Pheasants Forever banquet.

The board also approved designated county depositories, accountability and disclosures of county employees, approved appointed officials for the county, designated newspaper, radio and county website and board members to volunteer boards. The commissioners accepted the resignation of Whitney Whartman from the fair board and Jason Juracek and Steve Powell as members, and Hal Enevoldsen and Judy Harris as members of the Visitors Committee.

The board, acting as the Board of Equalization, also approved tax list corrections for Judy Gillespie, Arlen Tank and B & B Valley Scale.

 

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