Thursday, May 8, 2008

Officials To Address “Open Door” Procedure For Inclement Weather

   Although the Lawrenceburg City Administration Building is designated as a “safe shelter” during times of inclement weather, one resident told city commissioners Thursday that the building was not readily accessible during the April 11 tornado.

   For years the basement area of Lawrenceburg City Hall has been designated as a storm shelter, where area residents may go when inclement weather threatens. In the past a basement door has been left open, allowing citizens access should the need arise.

   Lawrenceburg resident William Cockrell, who had come to address the Board of Mayor and Commissioners regarding a different issue Thursday, brought it to board members’ attention that quick access is no longer available. Cockrell explained that he and other residents had headed to city hall when a tornado bore down on the city last month, arriving to find that the entry door was locked. He said that he and the others were able to gain entry after speaking with city employees upstairs, but that the situation could have been deadly, had the storm took a different track.

   In recent months, City Administrator William McLain explained, the city’s computers were moved to the basement area so they could be better secured. The move was made in the wake of problems in other counties, where computers were stolen and confidential information of citizens compromised. The doors to the basement have been secured since that time, McLain stated.

   McLain expressed his intent to address procedures that would allow the basement door to remain open during times of inclement weather. McLain is expected to report back to the commission on the matter during an upcoming meeting.

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