Reader poll
Do you agree with the city commision decision to allow firework sales in the city limits?
- Yes
- No
- Undecided
790 total votes.
Emporia residents won’t have to leave town this July 4 holiday to buy and shoot off fireworks.
After six months of debate on the issue, the Emporia City Commission voted 3-1 this afternoon to allow vendors to sell fireworks in certain areas of Emporia, if they follow several rules. Previously all fireworks stands had to be outside the city limits.
“If people can shoot them off safely, I think they ought to be able to sell them safety with all the rules.” said Mayor Jim Kessler. “There’s going to be limited areas where to sell them. I think it will be safe.”
Kessler joined Commissioners Kevin Nelson and Bobbie Agler in voting for an ordinance allowing the sale of fireworks. Commissioner Julie Johnson voted against it. She has said throughout the discussions she didn’t favor sales in the city.
Vendors must pay a $2,500 permit fee to operate a stand in the city limits. The money could be used to put on a community Independence Day firework show.
For the full story, pick up the Thursday Emporia Gazette
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
What is the county fee?
January 5, 2011 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
$2500 permit, sales tax, and-and-and-and more money for the City manager to play with
January 5, 2011 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
“If people can shoot them off safely, I think they ought to be able to sell them safety with all the rules.” said Mayor Jim Kessler.
Hey, Mayor Kessler, the same can be said for selling liquor on Sunday. If I can drink safely on Sunday, I think booze ought to be able to be sold on Sunday with all the rules. Don't you?
'enry
January 5, 2011 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
county fee is $50.00 I believe. I'm glad they are going to sell fireworks in town. It will make the prices look even better if I just drive out by flying J and purchase from the local stand owner !
Maybe the old fuddy duddy's that voted sunday liquor sales out can have another special vote, this time on firework sales. Man I love the nice short drive to olpe to give them my tax dollars on sunday !
January 5, 2011 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
Can I ask what the big deal was about not allowing them in the first place? I don't understand why there were restricted to out of town. Just a question.
January 6, 2011 at 2:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH2uif...
January 6, 2011 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Yev-The people who were so against fireworks didn't want them within the city limits period. If thay had allowed them to be sold inside the confines of the border, people would surely set them off as soon as they got them. I'm surprised the anti-tobacco faction havent tried the same with cigarettes. I wouldn't doubt that they are related to those who made an American Holiday symbol a crime in town.
January 7, 2011 at 3:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncanyon (anonymous) says...
Hometownkid...
Olpe does not receive any "Tax" dollars by you spending your money for booze in there town. The "enforcement tax", charged for liquor, goes directly to the State.
January 7, 2011 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Hmmmm, wonder how many " Black Market " fireworks will also be sold inside the City Limits and just how enforceable is this law going to be ???
And who is going to pay for the " Extra Fee " to have law enforcement, carry out enforcing this " Law " ???
January 7, 2011 at 10:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
johncanyon,
Maybe not tax dollars, but it is putting money into the Olpe economy. The liquor store owner gets money from my purchase. He either spends this money himself or gives it to his employees to spend. If they are from Olpe, chances are they will spend some of that money in Olpe on goods and services. Those goods and services have sales tax which goes to the town of Olpe.
Shop Emporia first! Keep Emporia dollars in Emporia! Let Olpe become a ghost town! No one likes 'em anyways! (except the liquor store owners; they're cool with me) Repeal the ban on Sunday Sales in Emporia or the terrorists win!
'enry
January 7, 2011 at 10:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Go Eagles!
January 8, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hometownkid (anonymous) says...
John - do you think that there isn't any city sales tax in olpe? Do you think there is any city sales tax in emporia???
And your right 'enry shop emporia first. I love it when I'm out of town and run into people who are on the radio..talking about shop emporia first. I have ran into many small business owners and I always say.."shop emporia first, it works for emporian's" !
January 11, 2011 at 8:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )