March 19, 2024

Fireworks should be banned

I must take advantage of this minute of quietness to pen my thoughts over the use of fireworks in our community. Quite simply, fireworks do not belong in town, if even in our state for that matter. There are far too many people who take advantage of the system, and if given an inch, they take a mile.

Before the city decided to allow fireworks in town, I thought there was a possibility people would use them responsibly and the city would make the ordinance well known before everyone stocked up on their supplies. Well, to my disappointment the city failed to clearly convey the laws causing the citizens in many instances to break the laws. So the city decided to give out pamphlets and warnings to any violators of the not well publicized ordinance instead of the gift of a fine.

After questioning Mayor Hansen back in May about the fireworks ordinance, he sent me the following reply by email.

“Lawful hours are July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight and Jan. 1 from 12 midnight to 12:30 a.m. (1/2 hour). It is a violation of the ordinance to discharge fireworks devices in a reckless manner or a manner likely to cause death, injury, fire or property damage. Any person discharging a consumer fireworks device assumes all responsibility for its operation and the consequences thereof.”

So it would be a violation if a neighbor caused ‘litter’ on others real property.”

So one should clearly take from the above reply that if anyone used any firework that flies in town, it is highly likely they were considered to be in violation of at least one or more infractions of the city code that Mr. Hansen clearly made known above, even if it were just littering. It is pretty hard to confine any firework that flies within one’s own yard in most instances, so at what point are these flying fireballs considered safe and legal? I have yet to see any firework being under the control of those firing it off once it is launched. I guarantee if a dog were running loose our city would consider it a potential threat, and fireworks that are running rampant aren’t?

The solution to the whole fireworks problem is quite simple — ban them!

Todd Hackathorn

Newton