Last week at the Emporia City Commission study session, the commissioners discussed letting people shoot fireworks in the city of Emporia on July 3 and 4.
Although fireworks have been banned in the city for longer than anyone can remember, that doesn’t mean the law was followed.
Typically over the Fourth of July, Emporia sounded like a war zone from all the fireworks being shot off. The enforcement was difficult for police, and with all the violators, a ticket was never issued.
Obviously people want to shoot fireworks, so it is good to see city leaders addressing the situation and having a willingness to discuss an ordinance that was flagrantly violated.
More cities around the state are starting to allow people to shoot off fireworks, and we should, too. If city commissioners allow the people to shoot fireworks in the city, this will be trial year.
Commissioner Jeff Longbine said he has reservations about shooting off in the city and hopes that is does not lead to a house fire or property damage. If people use common sense and follow safety precautions, then things should go alright.
We encourage the city commission to allow fireworks to be during the Fourth of July holiday, and we encourage fireworks shooters to use common sense to keep friends and neighbors safe.
77flint (anonymous) says...
This is why you buy home owners insurance.
May 5, 2010 at 3:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"More cities around the state are starting to allow people to shoot off fireworks, and we should, too."
Well, let's not think for ourselves. Let's just do it because everyone else does.
May 5, 2010 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eaglefan (anonymous) says...
I say let people shoot off their fireworks in town. At least that way I don't have to drive through all the trash on my way home on the county roads for a week. People seem to forget they have to clean up after the fun is over. This way the trash will be in the street in front of their own houses.
May 5, 2010 at 3:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bloomsbury (SC DIXON) says...
"a willingness to discuss an ordinance that was flagrantly violated"...
Now which one is that, riding skateboards on downtown sidewalks, or bikes, or littering, or drinking in public, or excessive loud music, or running traffic lights, or burning rubber at intersections, or are we talking about speeding, or using child seats, or "J" turns, or jay-walking, inattentive driving (texting and yakking on the mobile phone) or non-handicapped people using handicapped parking...or, or, or...
Heck-Fire, city leaders, just clear 'em all of the books, after all, they are not being enforced and surely there are other towns which we can point to as shining examples.
May 5, 2010 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
I have wished my whole life to be just like the " Jones's " and now there may be another usless City ordinance to forceably make my wish come true .
Sheeeeeeesh !
Gotta be a great day in Emporia.
May 5, 2010 at 4:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Just let it happen people.
Knowing about human nature there will be 1 person or maybe even a few that screw it up and either cause property or personal damage, and then you can all say "I told you so" and it will again be illegal to celebrate the fourth with fireworks.
Never mind the fact that thousands will have celebrated legally and safely with no problems.
Never mind that for the 1st time in years our just out of town residents don't have to deal with the trash from others. All it will take is one idiot to ruin it for the others.
I have much confidence someone will step up and "blow it" for the rest of us.
May 5, 2010 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )