The Charleston City Council voted and approved two proclamations Tuesday. 

The two proclamations designated a week in September as Constitution Week and a week in October as Fire Prevention Week in the city. 

The week of Sept. 17–23, 2019 will be Constitution Week because “it is fitting and proper to accord official recognition to this magnificent document and its memorable anniversary; and to the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion,” according to the proclamation. 

The proclamation asks citizens to “reaffirm the ideals the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.” 

The week of Oct. 6 –12, 2019 has been named Fire Prevention Week  to “urge the people of Charleston to be aware of their surroundings, look for available ways out in the event of a fire or other emergency, respond when the smoke alarm sounds by exiting the building immediately, and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of Charleston’s Fire and Emergency Services during Fire Prevention Week 2019,” according to the proclamation. 

The goal of the week is to educate citizens on the ways they can protect themselves from fire and prevent fires within their homes. 

The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2019 will be “Not every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice your Escape!” to remind citizens to take personal steps to ensure their safety during a fire. 

Mayor Brandon Combs was not present for the meeting and the meeting was led by Councilman Dennis Malak. 

Two public presentations were heard. 

One from the new owner of a local bowling alley introducing himself to the council and another from Eric Davidson, an assistant scout masters for Boy Scout Troop 141.  

Members of the troop who were attempting to get their communications and public speaking merit badges were also in attendance for the meeting. 

Davidson said one requirement for receiving the Communications merit badge is attending a public meeting and take notes on the meeting among other tasks. 

One requirement of the public speaking merit badge is learning about parliamentary procedure. 

“Looking at a meeting and the order of an agenda, how motions and created and seconded, those types of things,” Davidson said. “With what we’ve been able to do tonight we’ll be able to look at parliamentary procedure and talk about how (the council) had slips of paper and things like that.” 

A raffle license was approved for the Coles County Council on Aging, Inc. to raise funds for operating expenses for the Dial-A-Ride Public Transportation Program. 

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].