Fire Department tries to transition from gun raffles

MEDINA – Every spring and fall, the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company has traditionally raffled off guns as a fund-raiser.

But those events may be over after the state passed a new gun control law, the SAFE Act, in January. Gary Williams, a long-time volunteer for the company, said Shelby is looking at other fund-raisers.

He would like to invite Josie Waverly, a country music singer from Hilton, to the community as a benefit for the fire company. However, the fire hall isn’t the best venue for a concert, he told Medina school officials during a March 12 Board of Education meeting.

“We could have it in our hall, but people would enjoy it more if it was in the auditorium,” Williams said.

Jeff Evoy, the district superintendent, said school facilities can be used by the public. But he wouldn’t support a Waverly concert in June, when the school calendar is so packed.

“My biggest concern is June because it’s such a pressure-cooker,” Evoy said.

Williams spoke with Waverly’s manager and there are dates open in July. Evoy said he would support a concert that month. Shelby may have to pay the school for the cost of custodial services and assure the district it has insurance for the event.

Waverly was in concert March 1 at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, performing music from Patsy Cline. Williams said Waverly should appeal to people of all ages.