In May, the Denison City Council had considered, by a 3-2 vote, to amend the city’s ordinance to allow the firing of consumer-grade fireworks in the city limits during certain hours on July 3 and 4.

Amending the ordinance was a condition given for the city to operate a fireworks stand as a fundraiser for city projects. The reasoning was the city should not sell something that was illegal to fire off in the city limits.

As of Tuesday the ordinance amendment is tabled, and it appears the ordinance amendment probably won’t come up again for some time, if it does. 

Councilwoman Jennifer Zupp Smith said at Tuesday’s meeting that the wording of the proposed ordinance amendment was not good. 

That was among the first reasons given to table the issue.

“I’ve heard from people both ways, probably equally,” said Zupp-Smith. “Some people want it (fireworks). Some people don’t.

“I guess I don't feel like what is proposed for this ordinance as drafted is sufficient,” she added. “I think the wording is not good as I read it.”

Another problem she saw was a provision that the fire chief and police chief could temporarily ban the use of consumer fireworks and the ability of those officials to notify the public in a timely fashion.

“I guess my point is that I'm certainly open to amending our ordinances in the future to allow people to use them (consumer fireworks) responsibly but I don't think that this language does that,” said Zupp-Smith.

She said there is not enough time before the July 4 holiday to give the public fair notice of the changes.

“I would probably suggest that we work on it for next year,” she continued.

Zupp-Smith said she loved the idea of a fundraiser but since it is already June, she would not want the city to compete with other entities that had already financially invested in their own fireworks products.

Councilman Corey Curnyn said he did not like the idea of the city competing with local private entities that sell fireworks.

He pointed out, as he had at the previous council meeting, that there are not many places where consumer fireworks can be legally used because they would not be allowed to be fired off within 50 feet of another dwelling.

“So we’d essentially be making something legal that you can’t do any way,” he added.

Zupp-Smith pointed out that communities near Denison have figured out how consumer fireworks can be safely used but added that now is not the time to pass an ordinance as there is not time to inform the public.

She later mentioned looking at the ordinance in six months.

Difficulties in enforcing the firing of consumer fireworks in the city limits if it were to become legal, and even now, when it is not, were discussed.

Read more about the council meeting at www.denisonfreepress.com and in next week’s issue.

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