A former neighborhood association president made a plea Wednesday for residents and Douglas County officials to resolve an issue involving a piece of property on Rhode Island Street.

“I guess this is my lastditch effort to say take a step back, take a deep breath and work together,” said Ed Tato, former president of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Assn., when addressing the County Commission and members of the association at the commission meeting.

The County Commission has been debating what to do with a piece of property at 1120 R.I. There was movement to raze a crumbling house on the property. But county officials would have to determine how the land would be used in order for that to happen because of historical sites in the area.

Residents said the house could be repaired and should remain residential.

“I strongly support our block continue to be residential,” said Karen Hawk, who resides nearby. “I feel like it’s a set of teeth. If one part of the block goes, the whole thing goes.”

Commissioners disagreed Wednesday on what should happen to the property. They asked members of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Assn. to come up with proposals on how the land could be used.

Commissioner Charles Jones said that could provide a jumping-off point in coming up with a compromise between residents and the county.

Commissioner Jere McElhaney said he was not in favor of giving up the property.

“We’ve been here since the early 1900s, and county activities have been here,” he said. “Our plan is to have the county activities remain here unless we can’t support it. We might have to move if we don’t have the ability to help ourselves.”

Neighborhood association members suggested that the county lease the land. The house could be rehabilitated and someone could rent it, they said.

Commissioner Bob Johnson said a lease was a workable idea. But it doesn’t change who owns the land, he said.

“Ultimately, a decision has to be made about the ownership of the property,” he said.

County Administrator Craig Weinaug said he would put a timeline together for when the neighborhood association should have proposals completed. A work session with the commissioners and members of the association will take place later to discuss the proposals.

Firework resolution OK’d

Douglas County commissioners approved a resolution Wednesday night that will help regulate and enforce rules for firework stands in rural parts of the county.

The new resolution — coming three years after Lawrence prohibited fireworks within city limits, pushing their use into rural areas — would place new safety restrictions on the sale of pyrotechnics in the county.

The county’s former fireworks resolution doesn’t address such safety issues. The 1988 resolution provided a definition for fireworks and states when they can be sold and used but says nothing beyond that.

The resolution that was unanimously approved by the commission requires firework stand operators to follow several rules. Rules include no smoking within 100 feet of any fireworks stand and requiring a fire extinguisher and telephone be at fireworks stands for use in emergencies.

Gun proposal approved

Douglas County commissioners Wednesday night unanimously approved a proposal to have all sheriff’s deputies use the same type of gun and ammunition.

The county will spend about $59,657 to purchase Glock .40-caliber pistols for all deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Until now, sheriff’s deputies have been required to buy their own handgun from a list of approved weapons.

A cost savings is expected as a result of the decision. But it isn’t known how much the savings will be at this time.

Sheriff’s office personnel currently carry 18 different makes of handguns, which require five different calibers of ammunition.

Commissioners approved the item without discussion.