RO ponders firework regs
The Red Oak City Council is looking to put restrictions on fireworks within the city limits.
Gov. Terry Branstad recently signed legislation legalizing the sales and use of fireworks statewide. Shenandoah is allowing fireworks with certain limitations on the state law, including shortening the dates the fireworks can be used. Clarinda is taking no action, electing to follow the new state law in its entirety for this current year.
City administrator Brad Wright said he had heard a variety of opinions about the fireworks law, and still felt that there was no place for shooting fireworks within city limits.
“I think it’s ridiculous to allow someone to shoot off a display of fireworks in their backyard and lob them all over their neighbor’s houses. That’s my opinion,” Wright said.
He added that he had researched fireworks accidents, and said there were 18,500 fires reported from accidents involving fireworks. Wright said he wanted to err on the side of safety and protection for the public and their property.
“If we do nothing, and let people shoot off fireworks, the police are stalemated. That can’t do anything if someone is being ridiculous. I’m supportive of a complete ban, and I know that there are cities all across the state that are still trying to figure out how to handle this. Timing is of the essence. If we wait too long to get something, we won’t be able to have anything in place before the July 4 holiday,” Wright advised.
Fire Chief John Bruce was not able to attend the council meeting, but advised he had concerns about fireworks being used in the city. Police Chief Justin Rhamy agreed with Wright.
‘We need to look at the safety factor. We’re going to be in the summer season. Things are hot and dry. The health and safety of citizens and property is a concern, because things can spark very quickly. I think if we can control the fireworks, and if we get called to an emergency situation, we’ll have a better opportunity to handle it,” said Rhamy.
Mayor Bill Billings said that even if the city were to put a complete ban on fireworks, they would be unable to stop their sale and use completely.
“Somebody’s still going to sell them here. We can’t ban vendorship. It then becomes very hard to control their use in the city. I think the best we can do is limit the time frame,” advised Billings.
Councilperson Jeanice Lester said she had concerns about having no regulations in place, and no course of action to take, before the July 4 holiday.
Billings said he didn’t want to put a damper on the holiday for Red Oak residents, but felt certain restrictions on their use was necessary, including limiting where they were sold.
“The sale of them should be in a free standing building. If we have someone rent a building downtown for a month, and the building catches fire, then we end up with half the downtown on fire. That’s one of the restrictions Shenandoah is looking at as well,” commented Billings.
Councilperson Larry Barnett agreed with Wright’s decision, saying he was against the fireworks legalization and felt the law was opening up a huge can of worms.
“It’s not something that’s going to be injury-free, that I can guarantee. I’d limit it to the commercial fireworks only, such as sparklers. I also feel we should limit the sale as much as we can. I’m not a very good public spokesperson for fireworks, as I don’t believe in them,” Barnett said.
Wright asked the council for a consensus on which direction they wished to pursue moving forward.
Councilmen Scott Keith and Roger Waggoner were both in favor of restrictions for now, and advised they were not against an entire ban either.
“I’m not against a ban, but I think we should give it a shot, and limit the times and dates they can be used, and their size,” Waggoner said.
Billings said he preferred a limitation, rather than an entire ban, for fear of the public’s response.
“If we consider an entire ban, we’re going to have many people in the community who are calling us unpatriotic,” said Billings.
The council advised Wright to pursue ordinance language that restricted the use of fireworks to June 30 through July 5, and also limited the times to 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of July 4, when it would be 11 p.m. The council also advised Wright to look at options to restrict the size of fireworks that could be used.