The East Ridge City Council on Thursday night declined to take action to keep the current ban on guns in city parks.

Councilman Larry Sewell made a motion to pass a resolution that would have allowed the city to opt out of a controversial new state law allowing those with handgun carry permits to take guns into parks.

City Manager William Whitson, who had warned that the city could lose ball tournaments at Camp Jordan Park if it allows guns there, said the new state law will take effect Sept. 1.

However, Mayor Mike Steele said he was asking City Attorney John Anderson to look into whether the council can take another vote.

Mayor Steele, who cannot second a motion, said he was disappointed by the vote.

He said he has a gun carry permit and he believes those who do "are wonderful people," but he said, "We are a society that is truly on the edge."

He said some "good person" at a ball game could do something with a gun "that they would regret for the rest of their life."

Not choosing to second the motion were Tom Card, Brent Lambert and Denny Manning.

City Manager Whitson said statistics show there are very few instances of crime in East Ridge parks and that they are safe.

He said crews had been doing additional mowing and bush trimming along the fringes of the park near walking trails.

Mr. Whitson said he was advised that allowing guns in the parks would not cause the city's insurance rates to go up, but he said if there is a shooting in the parks and a claim then it likely would.

He said Camp Jordan is a money generator for the city that draws regional and national tournaments. He said tournament officials have indicated that allowing guns in the park would be a potential problem for holding future tournaments there.

Becky Whitson, wife of the city manager, was among those pleading with the council not to allows guns in the parks.

She said she works with children and "it is very concerning to me to have guns around small children."

Alice Stevens said she was "very disturbed" about the possibility of guns in parks.

However, Darin Linkins said he wanted to be able to carry a gun at the parks, saying it would allow him to better protect his young boys. He held one of his sons as he spoke.

In other action, Mr. Whitson said a section of Exit 1 of I-75 will be set aside for the display of flags honoring veterans. He said additional plans for the exit will be unveiled soon.

"It will make a real statement when you enter East Ridge," he said.

Concerning a contest to choose a flag for the city of East Ridge, he said over 100 people have cast ballots thus far.

He said East Ridge is planning to begin holding "Breakfast Connections" in which citizens may come by and confer with council members and city officials on specified Saturday mornings.

The first event is planned on Aug. 29 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Stanley United Methodist Church.

Mr. Whitson said new lights have been erected at Camp Jordan. He said a lighting ceremony will be Monday at 9 p.m.

He said steps are being taken to set up after school programs and tutoring through a partnership with the James A. Henry branch of the YMCA.

It is expected the programs will be three afternoons a week and including help from teachers in various specialties.

Albert Waterhouse, who has a communications contract with the city, said a family festival is planned for Oct. 17.

It will have a "two-wheel" theme and feature a bicycle and wheelchair parade.