Article clipped from The Daily Oklahoman

Guthrie Judge to Rule Today On Inn's Compliance With Code By Ellie Sutter Staff Writer GUTHRIE Logan County District Judge Donald L. Worthington will decide today whether the Red Stone Bed and Breakfast Inn must close because of alleged violations of city and national safety codes. The city filed a lawsuit July 17 asking the judge for an injunction to stop Guthrie businesswoman Becky Lu-ker from operating the Red 'Stone Inn until she gets an occupancy permit from the city. The suit alleges that Luker violated national Building Official and Code Administrator rules, called the BOCA Code, which the city has adopted. Also cited was Luker's failure to get a city occupancy permit for the Red Stone. City officials say the building housing the Red Stone must have a fire sprinkler system installed before an occupancy permit can be issued. Luker and her attor ney, Edmond Mayor Randel Shadid, contend she is not required to have a sprinkler system because the building is steel and stone. "There is no wood in the walls," Shadid said. He said this week the Red Stone is exempt because the BOCA Code provides that under certain guidelines, listed in Article 32 of the code, the building can be determined safe. City manager Steve Beck said the city has been reviewing Article 32. Meanwhile, Luker and Shadid say city council members violated the state's Open Meeting Act July 8 when they instructed Beck to take legal action against Luker during the "new business" section of a meeting of the Guthrie Community Planning and Development Committee. Shadid said the council members have known for months about Luker's dis agreement with the city's code enforcer over the need for a sprinkler system. On July 19, Worthington issued a stay that allows Luker to operate the inn until today's hearing. Shadid said if the stay is removed and the city will not issue an occupancy permit, he will take legal action on behalf of his client. The restraining order is the latest development in an ongoing squabble among elected city officials, a few vocal residents and Luker. Luker, who operates the Stone Lion Bed and Breakfast Inn as well as the Red Stone Inn, takes her summer murder mystery weekend guests to the city's cemetery to visit the grave of outlaw Elmer McCurdy. One of her mysteries is based on McCurdy. Luker's most vociferous detractors have accused her of conduct ing witchcraft devil worship at the cemetery. Other critics have simply called her use of the cemetery disrespectful. rl W , KQM 1 out jgEl I ntor;