Commission removes shooting-range board member after range flag-stand dismantling; replaces member

Fallon County commissioners on Tuesday removed a member of the county’s shooting-range advisory board and appointed replacements after the board discussed an incident in which a volunteer board member dismantled a privately owned flag stand without authorization.

Multiple witnesses who testified during the meeting — including the gun-range manager and other board members — said the board had previously agreed that the Tri Area Racing Association would relocate a flag stand after a scheduled racing event. The removed member later admitted he had dismantled the stand himself because he was dissatisfied with the agreed timeline, several attendees told the commission.

Commission discussion focused on property rights and whether the act constituted trespass and vandalism. Commissioners concluded the unilateral dismantling of private property crossed a line for a volunteer appointed to an advisory board. A motion to remove the board member passed on a recorded vote; commissioners then appointed Dale Swagger to fill the remainder of the removed member’s term and later reappointed two incumbent members and accepted one new applicant for other expiring seats.

Ending: Commissioners said removal was necessary to maintain public trust in advisory boards and confirmed they will follow the county’s appointment and removal process going forward. The commission also said it expects advisory-board members to coordinate actions through the board and the county, not to act unilaterally on private property.