Howdy, Howdy, Howdy, allow me to introduce myself.  I’m Glenn M(Edit), the new Range Committee Chairman.  (Note to self: next year, show up on time for the first meeting)  I know, you’ve seen articles with my name on them before, but those were actually written by Jim L(Edit) since I avoided doing it.  So, this is actually the first article written by yours truly.  In all honesty, I’m glad to be leading the Range Committee (RC) and I see some great opportunities and challenges in the next couple of years.

      So, what’s up in RC land?  Lots!  We have new match requests practically every meeting, we’re working with Lincoln PD on a request to change their scheduled range day, we’ve been tweaking the Range Rules to avoid some potential problems, we’re changing the RC structure to facilitate better transition from year to year, and we’re slowly feeling out the relationship between the RC and the new Board of Directors (BOD).  Most importantly, though, we’re planning and designing some substantial improvements for the Dillman Outdoor Range.

      Currently, our highest priority improvement is coming into compliance with the American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).  That’s the law that requires the ramps and parking spaces and a host of other things.  We currently have a design that provides two ADA-compliant parking spaces; accesses the rifle, pistol, and trap firing lines and the bathroom; and allows a wheelchair-bound person to hang their own targets.  The original design was approved by the RC with slight modifications and the slightly-modified design was presented to the BOD at their May meeting.  The BOD has requested one change which is being investigated now.  After the ADA improvements are approved, we will move on to other things such as sound walls, no-blue-sky baffles, and hopefully a new electrical service and lights for the pistol range.  It all sounds great, and you’re surely wondering, “How can I help?”

      There are many areas where we could use help.  First, anyone with experience in designing ADA-compliant facilities would be great.  We have a registered civil engineer doing the design for free, but a second set of free eyes would be very helpful.  Second, all you contractors, we’ll be putting out bids to do all this stuff.  Help us out with your knowledge or by bidding a no-profit job.  Third, anyone out there an electrical contractor?  Upgrading the electrical is a long-term need that will become a short-term one if we decide to put lights on the pistol side of the range.

      Putting lights on the pistol side of the range brings me to my last thought.  We need more Range Safety Officers (RSO).  The RSOs are the guys that run the range when it’s open to the public.  We have only a very few guys that have the qualifications to do this.  More RSOs would allow us to give these guys a little time off, and, when we have enough, open the range to the public a couple nights during the week.  See why we want lights?  However, without additional RSOs, there will be no need for the lights.  LRC will be looking into providing NRA-approved RSO training, but we need people willing to step up.  Anyone interested in helping fill this need or having any other concerns can contact me at          (916) (edit) or (Edit).

 

Well, that’s all for this issue.  Hopefully it’ll be shorter next time.