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Leaders tussle over new rules for city parks

Zephyrhills officials struggle over regulations on closing times and gun possession in the parks.

By MOLLY MOORHEAD
Published October 11, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - City officials will start from scratch on an ordinance regulating parks and cemeteries.

After a long, sometimes tense discussion Monday evening, City Council members asked for several options regarding what is legal in parks and cemeteries and what time they should close.

Council member Gina King said the draft presented Monday conflicted with several ordinances already on the books and would create confusion.

"About 80 percent of this is already addressed, not only in the state statutes, but in our own codes," she said. "Why do we need more laws on the books?"

And one section covering firearms conflicted with state law, officials agreed. The proposed ordinance placed a blanket prohibition on possession and use of firearms in parks. But state law specifically preempts any city codes regarding firearms and makes exceptions for people with weapons permits.

City Attorney Karla Owens said the city's proposal would not hold up in court.

Two people at the meeting almost guaranteed a challenge.

"We have to be very vigilant with these kinds of ordinances. We are watching," said Reggie Howard of the local Second Amendment Club. "Our rights can be taken away very easily.

John Gaetano, the club president, said further gun restrictions would not cut down on crime.

"These ordinances only affect law-abiding citizens," he said.

Council members agreed that section would be rewritten to comply with state law.

But on other issues, the board was far from agreement.

King has objected to a provision in the new ordinance moving the closing time from midnight to 10 p.m. She said the earlier closing time would not reduce crime in the parks.

"What we need is enforcement," she said.

Other council members agreed to reconsider the closing time, but not before City Manager Steve Spina weighed in.

"Basically we have one person that likes to play tennis after 10," he said, referring to King. "We're going to keep parks open until midnight for one person?"

King fired back: "It's hard to play tennis by yourself."

The council might consider closing some parks later than others, and an ordinance governing cemeteries will be drafted separately.

[Last modified October 11, 2005, 01:58:15]