During an April 15 meeting, the Daleville City Council passed a new ordinance that allows game hunting on agricultural properties zoned AGR-2 in accordance with state hunting laws.
The previous ordinance, enacted in 1997, prohibited any resident from discharging firearms within city limits without the written permission of the city council, with the exception of peace officers. In order to lawfully hunt, residents were required to request hunting permits at city council meetings.
The new ordinance permits residents to discharge firearms for the purposes of hunting on properties zoned AGR-2 without prior approval. The ordinance was initially proposed after several residents requested permission to hunt on the properties, which span across approximately 1,000 acres of continuous rural land between Highway 134 and Highway 84.
All hunting activities must follow state law, which prohibits the discharge of firearms within 150 yards of any residence or business and within 100 yards of any public road.
In a March 18 meeting, Mayor Claudia Wigglesworth said the new law was a “win-win” for the city, as it gives landowners more freedom and flexibility in the use of their properties while also relieving the city of the responsibility to issue hunting permits.
In addition to permitting game hunting on properties zone AGR-2, the ordinance also allows the discharge of firearms in the following circumstances: the execution of the law or performance of duties by law enforcement officers, military parades or ceremonies conducted under the supervision of an appropriate officer and discharge for protection or in legal defense of person or property.
With the exception of these four allowances, it remains illegal to discharge a firearm within the City of Daleville.
In City reports, the Chamber of Commerce announced the following upcoming events: the Army Aviation Center Federal Credit Union (AACFCU) car sale ribbon cutting on Friday, May 2, at 8 a.m., the grand reopening of the Pink Poodle at the Big Ole House on Thursday, April 24, from 4-6 p.m. and Fort Rucker Appreciation Day on Friday, May 16.
Fort Rucker Appreciation Day is free to all residents and will offer food, kid’s activities, and performances by the 98th “Silver Wings” Army Band.
In old business, City Clerk and Board of Education President Angelia Filmore was re-appointed to the school board for a term expiring in 2019.
In new business, the council approved plans to extend the sidewalk in Daleville from the Finnway Express gas station on Highway 85 to Old Newton Road. Additionally, the council also approved plans to repair the sinkhole on Donnell Boulevard through the purchase of a $12,000 concrete junction box. Mayor Wigglesworth announced that the City will also be receiving $150,000 from the State to help fund the repaving of Donnell Boulevard.
The Daleville City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Daleville City Hall.
Due to a scheduling conflict, the next meeting has been moved to Wednesday, May 7, at 5:30 p.m. at Daleville City Hall.
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2 comments:
mom-of-4 posted at 1:02 pm on Wed, Apr 23, 2014.
I wasn't aware anyone needed the city council's permission to discharge a firearm to protect themselves or their property. I thought that was a constitutional right? So until this was passed, someone could break into my home, threaten myself and my children and I would not be able to do anything other than hide in a bathroom and call the police? And "hope" they got there in time? What if it's a wild or rabid animal that gets over or under the fence in my yard and it's coming after one of my dogs? I was just supposed to let that happen too? Wow.
notfallingforit posted at 12:16 pm on Mon, Apr 21, 2014.
I was at this meeting and this article in no way represents what happened. There were MANY people opposed to this ordinance also at the meeting who wanted to speak. Since they were not on the agenda, one councilman called for a vote to allow us to speak, and they voted 3-2 to NOT allow the citizens to be able to offer opinions. What country are we in ?!? This sounds like Nazi Germany or communist Russia. The people have a right to be heard!