Northwood drops idea of “gun free zone” on city properties

NORTHWOOD – The City of Northwood decided against pursuing a gun/weapon free zone on City properties at its last city council meeting.

According to Mayor Jane Bloomingdale, the idea of discussing the creation of a “gun/weapon free zone” was brought up at a recent city council meeting by City Council member Gary Nerlien.

The Northwood Anchor reported on July 17th that the city council was to hold a discussion at that council meeting “on making city property gun and weapon free zones. Several members of the public attended the meeting to observe the discussion. (Mayor) Bloomingdale apologized but suggested that the discussion should be postponed until the full council and city attorney could be present before discussing and taking action on that issue.”

Mayor Bloomingdale told NIT Thursday morning that after Council member Nerlien began the discussion about the gun free zone on city property after an incident she described where a man recently walked into city hall with a gun and declared that he has the right to have a gun on the premises. According to the mayor, there is no signs indicating that guns are banned at the Northwood City Hall but there is a sign like that at the Worth County Courthouse.

At the July 23rd Northwood City Council meeting, Nerlien withdrew his motion on “the idea of having a gun/weapon free zone on City properties.” The motion passed 3-2.  Mayor Bloomingdale was not present at that meeting.

“I had no idea it was as big of an issue as it apparently is,” Mayor Bloomingdale told NIT.  She said NIT would have to ask Nerlien why the idea was dropped.

When reached for comment Thursday morning on the gun issue, Council member Nerlien said “I wish not to discuss that with you.”