Police Will Ticket Offenders
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Originally published 01:05 p.m., June 24, 2008
Updated 01:05 p.m., June 24, 2008
People who shoot off their own fireworks displays within the Emporia city limits may receive tickets this year instead of warnings from police.
The ticket topic arose during an interview on fireworks safety and handling with Fire Marshal Tom Andrews.
The fire department views fireworks from a safety standpoint: injuries and fires.
Emporia police have the advantage of preventive intervention for both aspects.
“Since the city has been lax in years past, I think we should warn people — fair warning,” Andrews said, prefacing his talk about safety. “...The police will be enforcing the ordinance.”
Police Chief Gary Smith confirmed that officers will indeed write tickets for violations whenever possible.
“What we witness first-hand and what people will sign a complaint on is what we’ll probably go on this year,” Smith said. “... We’ll be doing that with our regular load of holiday calls that we’ll be getting as well. We’ll put them in the queue and certainly try to prioritize them as best we can.”
He added that time spent dealing with fireworks calls is time not spent doing police work in other arenas.
Smith has asked his staff to identify areas that have been problems during past July 4th holiday weekends, so they can watch those areas more closely.
“The challenge is getting out and actually witnessing the violation,” Smith said.
The alternative is having a reporting witness who can identify the violators and who is willing to sign a complaint.
Smith also cautioned buyers to make sure what they’ve purchased is legal in Kansas.
“You shouldn’t assume just because you buy it, it’s legal. We’ve learned through error and mischief sometimes that that’s happened,” he said.
Police will confiscate illegal fireworks, resulting in a loss of the products and a fine and court costs as well.
Still, the Class C options for legal fireworks in Kansas are considerably more encompassing than that in Smith’s former home state.
Smith, who came to Emporia from Northfield, Minn., in January, said that then-Gov. Jesse “The Body” Ventura signed a law allowing a small selection of fireworks to be used in Minnesota. The state previously had banned all fireworks.
Ventura’s signature freed citizens to use only sparklers, bubbling fountains and poppers.
“You know how everybody adhered to that,” Smith said wryly.
Smith asked that Emporians remember that all fireworks are illegal inside the city limits, and to behave accordingly. Even simple fireworks, long considered appropriate for children — like snakes, poppers, and sparklers — are illegal here.
Bottle rockets, M-80 cherry bombs and other high-powered explosive fireworks are illegal statewide.
“They could even get the attention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,” he said. “... It’s rare, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility.”
Smith cautioned that changes can occur within the chemical make-up of fireworks because of exposure to light or moisture, or being kept on the shelf too long.
“You really need to be scrutinizing who you buy it from, where you buy it,” he said.
Andrews advised buyers to check the package labels to see how the contents are classified. Most fireworks are Class C, which is legal in Kansas but illegal in Emporia.
The city allows displays by professional pyrotechnicians. Permits are required, and must be obtained at least 14 days in advance.
The permit requires, among other criteria, proof of insurance or bond for the display, a state license to shoot fireworks, and a detailed diagram showing distances between the display, structures, power lines, and observers.
The state laws on fireworks, as well as the city ordinances, are strict.
“In fact, if you want to transport fireworks through Kansas, you have to have a permit,” Andrews said.
He cautioned parents to exercise care with sparklers, a favorite of young children. Sparklers can reach a temperature of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Those probably end up being as dangerous as firecrackers for the little kids,” he said.
Fireworks stands can sell products in Kansas beginning Friday through July 5. Unlike Missouri, Kansas does not allow fireworks sales year-round.
Undersheriff Richard Old said that vendors outside the city limits must follow state laws and regulations.
“To operate the business, they have to apply to the County Zoning Department,” he said.
Flood Plains Manager and Zoning Administrator Sam Seeley takes the applications for a temporary use permit to allow sale of fireworks; after the application is approved, the cost is $50, payable to the Lyon County Clerk, Old said.
People who have access to shooting of fireworks on property outside Emporia need to use care during the shooting, and need to clean up afterwards.
“Be careful of dry grass and structures,” Andrews warned. “If they do start a fire, call 911.”
Comments
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good for Chief Smith! When I lived in Emporia it was like being in a war zone for 2 weeks around the holiday. It was bad enough for me but I felt really sorry for all the poor cats and dogs exposed to all the loud noise. I hope people also remember if they go out into the county to shoot fireworks to a) get permission from landowners to shoot off by their property and b) clean up after themselves. Just because you see a vacant field doesn't mean there might not be livestock out of sight of the road you could frighten. And we get plenty enough trash dumped in our ditches without fireworks debris too.
Posted by sadinemporia (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's about time we had a Chief who actually wants to enforce the law!! Thank you!
Posted by jennifersmith (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Absolutely!!! When my family lived in Emporia, we constantly were awakened in the middle of the night by fireworks. Thanks for enforcing the laws this year. Be safe everyone.
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess I am alone on this one. I find it very sad that on one day of the year---the day we celebrate the independence of our nation---we can't do so the way it has traditionally been done for decades; with fireworks. It will surely seem like a quiet and uneventful, even dull, day without them. As a child growing up in Topeka, my friends and I looked forward to the 4th of July much as we did Christmas or Halloween. We saved our lawn-mowing money and allowances for weeks so we could buy copious amounts of those magical noise makers. In the 20 or so years I bought and discharged firecrackers (and until the 1960s that included cherry bombs, M80s, bulldogs and silver salutes) and night works (including buzz bombs, skyrockets, and bottle rockets), I never once received an injury, injured anyone else, or started a fire.
We lived in Manhattan before moving here and that city allows full use of fireworks on July 4th ONLY and enforces it strictly. The point is: you can celebrate the 4th, on the 4th. I think it is sad our children and future generations are being robbed of the fun and excitement of this important national holiday because a few people complain of noise or think the city will burn to the ground. We might as well just repeal the holiday and all stay at work. I thnk it is very sad that Emporians are unable to celebrate the Independence Day holiday in the traditional manner.
Posted by edorsey (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah the police can waste their time enforcing fireworks laws when they ought to be worrying about other bigger, more severe problems.
Posted by outdoorguy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Police trying to issue tickets to everyone shooting off fireworks is about like swating fly's at the dump. Overwhelming at the least...
Posted by TacoBellB (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with BJ on this one. How sad is it that poppers and snakes are illegal! Seriously?! Yes, fireworks can be annoying and harmful when people use them incorrectly or there is an accident, but that's life - you take chances with every decision you make. I think that fireworks should be allowed only on the 4th of July - I'm all about ticketing on the days before and after, but on the actual day shouldn't people be allowed to make their own decisions about whether or not they buy/use fireworks?
You would think since the City of Emporia will not be putting on a fireworks display this year, that they would at least let people do their own displays.
Posted by Pollyanna (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bjnemp
You are not alone, just the first brave one to jump in there! July 4th is my favorite holiday primarily due to our own family traditions. Swimming at one relatives house, bbq at another, then over to another home close to the fairgrounds to shoot fireworks and lay on the driveway and snuggle and "ooh" and "aah" at the great display. My kids talk about July 4th and our traditions all year.
It will be interesting explaining to my kids this year why we have to drive to a tiny town several miles away to see fireworks. Why a big town like Emporia has to scrap July 4th celebration while little ole' Lebo does it up right. Pittiful IMO.....
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im starting to think Zimmerman and his band of communist are here setting their own rules without a vote from us THE PEOPLE,comes here cuts jobs cuts wages NOW WE CANT CELABRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY.What a town to be proud of THANK U ZIMMERMAN.Maybe we can change the name of our town to LITTLE RUSSIA.Well you can drive 20 miles to watch some fireworks hhhmmm maybe we sould just all move 20 miles .SELL THE COURTHOUSE SO WE CAN HAVE A FIREWORKS DISPLAY.I didnt vote for it anyway.I dont think anybody did ,I think they just said everybody voted it in.HHHMMM maybe that$5000 raise he gave himself was our firewoks money.
Posted by JessicaNelson (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hahaha!! man you people get fired up! cheer up and put out the fire out by the 4th. dont get a ticket. lol
Posted by kcfan (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand the potential risk of injury and fire hazard, but come on. Kids can’t use sparklers or ground snakes? As with anything common sense would tell me that I wouldn’t send my kids out the door to blow things up, but having good old SUPERVISED fun is harmless. I agree that items such as bottle rockets and large night works should be banned especially in city limits, but let the kids have some fun. If you don’t like the “rockets red glare and the bombs bursting in air” close your windows and put in the ear plugs and cuddle Fido so he’s not scarred. It’s ONE night
Posted by anonymous08 (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know Emporia is a sad place to live no Fireworks show cause the city can't afford it. Give me a break. What harm is it to shoot fireworks in town i know not everyone is responsible but the ones who are give them a break. We have decided to leave Emporia to go somewhere else to watch the night works. You know the big cities they sale fireworks in town and let them shoot them off in town. The people who complain are the ones who don't believe in the Fourth of July the Day of Independence.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think after 10-11pm they should enforce it. When people are trying to get to bed for the next day, people are not polite about shooting them off till all hours. We should be able to let the little kids have their fun but the big stuff should be at least on gravel areas and away from fire potential.
Posted by Iloveemporia (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i can tell one thing that i will be setting off a junk load of fireworks in the city limits and for tickets pfft you can see all the overweight cops coming from a mile so i ain't even worried about it. yea and bike cops too. and the first 3 poster must be nazis!!!!!
Posted by slipandslide (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cops, you better buy yourselves and extra case of tickets cause im going to letting off fireworks no matter what. if you give me a ticket, ill still have fireworks to pop off !!! gary smith- go back to minnesota for the 4 th so you dont have to hear our noise !!
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ok, first of all..don't shoot the messenger. the police are enforcing the law. if you want to live somewhere they don't enforce the law...go live somewhere else.
second, if you want the law changed, it's not that hard. most of what the police have to enforce is the state law. and they have no choice of enforcing city fire codes and ordinances. if you want to shoot off the stuff kansas will let you, then find a place out in the county.
and last, for those of you who don't like the enforcing the law part....maybe we should have a city wide "drunk driving" day for all of you who don't like the DUI laws. don't get me wrong, i'm totally for celebrating the 4th, but the fireworks laws started decades ago when some of the idiots decided to get the big stuff and try to burn down portions of the town because they had no idea of what they were doing. now, we are stuck with what we are stuck with. instead of complaining and asking for the police and fire to ignore you breaking the law for a day, why don't you ask for a place to shoot them off, like the fairgrounds. hmmmm....wait..for any of you out there that know, is the "COUNTY fairgrounds" city or county property?? maybe the city should let people shoot them off there..supervised and sanctioned by the fire department?
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
oh and slip...can it. some of us like chief smith....maybe he'll chase you guys who want preferential treatment out of town and tell the good people who want to obey the law that they are welcome to stay here.
if you don't like the laws, ask that they be changed instead of just whining about them. oh..hey..wait..this is an election year...why not ???
SLIPANDSLIDE FOR CITY COMMISSION...come on..i dare you....
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey dhcc maybe you can go crawl down the same hole as our city leaders for the forth.You sound like you were born to kiss azz.So keep up you good work.Maybe at Christmas they will vote to close walmart and you can hang off their shorts kissing away.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The city of Emporia will be closed for the forth of july for remodeling it will open back up when it gets its head out.Kinda like Wendys on 6th ave.
Posted by justthefacts (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go back and read the story again. It was the fire guy who volunteered the cops to write the tickets. Read between the lines instead of bashing the cops. It sounds like the chief said his folks would deal with it with the rest of the calls. No extra staff, priority basis, etc.
If someone calls attention to the enforcement issue, the law prohibits the cops from ignoring it. Why don't you all take it up with the fire guys who started the thing? I don't see you guys bashing them?
Go back and read it. The cops don't write the story, the paper does. Sounds to me like the cops are doing what they always do...trying to use good judgment when community members can't get along and try to use the cops to get even with each other. You guys can't even stay civil in this discussion forum.
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow wyse....maybe you are one of the many who have gotten caught by the traffic guys in their enforcement lately?? a little bitter toward law enforcement it seems. the other guys are right, it's the firemen who wanted this enforced so harshly..and i agree..nobody is bashing them.
oh, and if none of you know...it's not the city who sponsors the fireworks, it's the Jaycees....they just happened to have not done the 4th this year and the city had little if anything to do with it. and if it's a funding issue, why not privatize the whole thing?? i'm all for a fun 4th, but the ones who just want the law blatantly ignored need to spend the 5th picking up all the crap that litters the streets after everybody gets done shooting off all their fireworks on the 4th
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
wow ..... why wait until the 4th to pick up trash? I observed 3 people throwing sonic, mcdonalds etc out their car windows driving down the street today. Maybe they will return on the 4th to pick it up as it blows down the street.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my bad. "The 5th!"
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Fire Chief has a point. It is, after all, just Independence Day, The Fourth of July. Big deal. It isn't worth the risk for a mere 26,000 people to have fun and celebrate our nation's independence if there is even a remote chance a child could get a powder burn on his pinky or the fire department employees would have to interrupt their afternoon nap to extinguish a grass fire. As dry as it has been around here this spring, that could easily happen, especially if "snakes" are allowed to be ignited. If fact, I think the chief should ask the police to be on the lookout for people cooking outside that day using charcoal. Have you seen how hot that stuff gets? It could start a fire for sure. Ticket those grilling goof-offs. If you have some nostalgic streak that makes you feel you must celebrate the 4th, leave town. Our city doesn't want a bunch of happy families making noise and spending money on the 4th of July. It's dangerous.
Posted by cookatwork (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is sad that there will not be a sponsored fireworks display in Emporia this year. I also think that it is sad that certain fireworks are not allowed within the city limits. I do remember as a child that a whole city block would come together and shoot off fireworks carefully. Several years ago I attended the fireworks display out at greenacres and they had a nice display and it was the residents that put it on - a spot at the front was the only place they could be dispensed and people took turns. There are plenty of places in town that this could be done - the fairgrounds, las casitas park, jones park as a few examples.
It IS very unfortunate that there will be, as there always has been, those irresponsible people who do NOT take others' safety into consideration.
I am very sad that with the ever increasing gas prices that my children may not get to see a fireworks display this year - anybody want to carpool to Lebo?
Posted by rdgrey (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 8:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is sad that on one day we can not celebrrate our independance because we do not have real independance anymore. They will sell them to you but do not dare shoot them. I lived in topeka and we could there without any problems. Now since moving here I have to feel like a criminal trying to enjoy a 4th with the kids. But we will be out of this town soon since their prioreties on what to worry about SUCK.
Posted by wirewatt (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We cannot celebrate the 4th in Emporia, or the police will hand out tickets to the public. However the City will let illegal people drive cars and work in our plants. We seem to want to make certain portions of the population obey the laws, but other people are overlooked and let go. They should be allowed to shoot fireworks on the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and let the fireman patrol the streets. Anyone caught shooting illegal fireworks pays a large fine. Lincoln, Ne allows this and they have very little problems and families have great times. We need to start making things better here, instead of making it hard for people to enjoy themselves. We are getting a reputation of picking on college kids, arresting them for petty offenses. The college kids will leave and go to other towns who aren't out to punish them. Alot of the time a warning would take care of the problem. Wake up Emporia, make some changes.
Posted by wyse_guy (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 9:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey dhcc I never said anything about law enforcement so now your trying to put words in my mouth. You dont even want to go there.I can speak for myself so you just keep with kissing azz,because you cant read.Maybe you can jump back on that rail you rode in on.So why not let everybody use the fair grounds no cars just people keep them confined to one area.So people like dhcc wont have to drive around turning people in.
Posted by truelovecharlie (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you stop and look around, you will see what I've said before; no one in this country is "free" anymore. Everything is regulated and those that have the power strive to make everyone live according to how they think people should live. A prime example would be the stupid seat belt law. You can drive down the road 65-70 miles per hour on a motorcycle with no helmet but you can't drive down the road without your seat belt. At 18 years of age, you can die for your country, but you cannot drink alcohol. You can say what you want; as long as it doesn't include language that offends. The only thing people in this country are free to do anymore is die and pay taxes; even after you die. So the Independence you so want to celebrate, no longer exists and we are becoming more and more dependant.
Posted by alfalfa (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If all you folks in Emporia get the urge to come out into the country and shoot your fireworks, remember not to set any wheat on fire!!
Posted by ksgirl (anonymous) on June 24, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like Emporia is skipping the fourth of July this year. We should just have it removed from the calendar. Surely the city can do that since they can remove the firework display without asking us. Of course since they are taking that away why not get more strict on the laws. The city can make a boat load of money by fining all of us that want to celebrate. Yay for our Independence day! Thank you Emporia!
Posted by USNretired (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 12:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Blame the people who abuse the privilege, not the folks who get stuck enforcing an unpopular regulation. I enjoy fireworks too, but will go out of town to do it. I will put my ensign out all day and remember what the day means. But I will also enjoy spending the day with friends and family. I don't want my house to catch fire or my dogs scared out of what wits they do have, but there are always some unsupervised punks who try to screw things up for the rest of us. So if you see someone doing something truly stupid, let em know we don't need any Charley Foxes messing up OUR Independence Day!
Posted by justthefacts (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me Independence Day represents the risk and sacrifice made by many before us to gain our Independence. We currently have men and women in harms way right now putting their lives at risk. Whether you agree with the politics or not, it might not hurt to remember them. The symbolic firing of fireworks symbolizes the battles that were fought and lives that were lost to gain our freedom. I guess I'm more interested in more constructive civic engagement to provide for the future of my children and their children's quality of life. Things like good infrastructure, facilities and recreational facilities like our parents and grandparents provided for us.
Times change, seems to me posting the Colors and saying a prayer for our troops is a far better way of honoring the true meaning of the holiday than fighting about a bunch of fireworks made in China.
Many of you seem to take an awful lot of delight in bashing good folk who provide a public service. No wonder many of them leave to go elsewhere. If you think you are such experts, why not go down to city personnel and apply for the jobs next time they open up and show us how you can do such a better job. Then we all can sit back and take cheap shots at you. Shame on you referring to honest individuals as "communists" and anti-Americans. You don't know those people. What a terrible thing to say about them.
How do you suppose their families feel when they read this drivel?
You are all really great ambassadors of this community. If I was a prospective business thinking about relocating here I'd run like hell.
Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that banning snakes and poppers is silly. I suspect they threw that in to make it easier to enforce a ban on the other kinds. And a lot of people will take a mile if you give them an inch. And it was never just about people setting off fireworks for one day. It was a week or more of random explosions all hours day and night. That gets nerve wracking. I don't think anyone can spend all that time with earplugs in. . I think it is an excellent idea to set up a designated area at the fairgrounds for people to set off fireworks. The fire dept. can have a few people keep an eye on it and a someone to check them for bottle rockets etc. It's too late this year probably but maybe everyone could start talking to the commissioners about something like that next year. And yes, we should remember what the holiday represents and remember our veterens and soldiers and all who've sacrificed for the USA. It seems the last few years there's not much "united" in the states of america.
Posted by spectator (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was not the "fire guy" nor was it Chief Smith who elected to enforce the ban. You need to look a LOT further up the ladder.
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Spectator: Save us some time and enlighten us with your insight.
Posted by esuhornets (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would assume that since the 4th of July is no longer a holiday for the city of Emporia that all of the City Commisioners and city staff will be working. If we can't afford to have fireworks we sure as hell can't afford to give them a day off.
Posted by Observation (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think I'm going to go right on ahead and shoot some great fireworks off in my own driveway despite the liberal left and their efforts to make the 4th of July celebrations only history. Look up!!
Posted by esuhornets (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Obama most have gotten to our worthless city comissioners and turned them against America. Soon the offical religion of the city will be Muslim. HAHA what a joke
Posted by CassieJo (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Welcome to Em-poor-ia - the melting pot its going to be soup soon!
Posted by USNretired (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I kinda like Euphoria.
Posted by Penny (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it is really sad that the only way you see to celebrate Independance Day is to blow up thousands of dollars of fireworks. I suspect our founding fathers never intended for this celebration to be the explosive, beer-laden,commercial event that it has become. How many of you take the time to talk with your children about what this day means? We even cheapen it by calling it "july 4th" instead of Independance Day.
But, if you seriously want to make sure that there is a public display next year, start fund-raising now. That's what the small communities around us do. They also have parades, ice cream socials, etc. Guess what? All that takes work and money. So, if you believe that Emporia should have a celebration of our independance, start a committee, start fund-raising and do it up right! You'll be a hero instead of a whiner.
In the meantime, think of other ways you could honor those who gained our freedom and celebrate the fact that you are still free to complain about it.
Posted by allen (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 2:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a bunch of PARTY POOPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just another way to draw revenue out of pockets
Posted by patience (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 2:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you, Penny, for being the voice of reason. We are not having a public display of fireworks because the cost was prohibitive for some of the clubs. Those of you who are so critical should begin the fund raising efforts for next year and we can have a super display. I have lived across the street from people who shot bottle rockets off into my yard and I did not like it. After talking with them, they continued to do it. I had children outside and had to bring them in because of the danger. The laws are written to protect, not persecute. However, I think poppers and sparklers and snakes should be allowed because they can be used on the property and won't interfere with or create danger for someone else.
Posted by esu42 (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Penny, the founding fathers certainly did intend for the 4th to be a boisterous, explosive celebration. On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife about the 4th of July:
"It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. " Fireworks have certainly been a part of the 4th since then.
As far as "beer-laden" goes, the Founding fathers loved their beer. Washington brewed his own and made his own recipes, Jefferson brewed, and Adams had hard cider every morning.
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Penny: You are stereotyping and pigeon-holing. I personally believe fireworks are to Independence Day as costumes and candy are to Halloween and colored lights and decorated trees are to Christmas. As for beer? Where does that come in? Are you insinuating that the only Americans who enjoy fireworks on Independence Day are beer-swillling rednecks? I don't drink and don't see alcoholic beverages as part of any patriotic or religious holiday. Fireworks and "The Fourth" is just another tradition being eroded by liberals and nonsensical do-gooders. On July 4th I want to hear a steady barrage of booms, bangs, bursts, and bombs. That's the way it has always been and should always be. In more progressive, and patriotic, communities around the state and nation, it still is.
Posted by imgone (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Law Enforcement Officers. Go for it,have a ball. You may never know but you may save someone from serious injury or someones home from being burned to the ground. It's the law,enforce it. Good luck, be carefull, be safe.
Posted by Maximus (anonymous) on June 25, 2008 at 10:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You're saying no black cats, Roman candles or screaming meemies?
Come on. No ladyfingers, buzz bottles, snicker bombs......church burners, finger blasters, gut busters, zippedy-doodas, crap flappers?..
No whistling bungholes, spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, Husker Dos and don'ts.
Cherry bombs, nipsy dazers, with or without the scooter stick.....or one single whistling kitty-chaser?
(adapted from the greatest movie of all time - Joe Dirt)
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on June 26, 2008 at 7:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
wow...all this over some firecrackers. hate to see what the debate would be like if the gazette ran an article on public drinking or marijuana use.....
also, i think most have missed the point. just obey the law, go shoot your fireworks where it's legal, and maybe try and change the ordinances or laws by next year... now isn't that a little easier than trying to start a firecracker revolt against the police and fire departments?
and yes wyse, i know it's not near as much fun as bashing the public servants who get stuck enforcing all these "silly" laws..but hey..somebody has to babysit those who don't want to play by the rules
Posted by glarson (Gwen Larson) on June 26, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Time to move to a forum. I've titled it Fourth of July Fireworks because I suspect we'll eventually move the discussion of public displays, also.
http://www.emporiagazette.com/forums/ope...
Gwen Larson
Managing Editor