Fireworks restrictions on city officials' agenda

The rocket's red glare might be harder to find next Fourth of July.

While most area residents are focused on the upcoming New Year's holiday, Cape Girardeau and Jackson city officials are looking ahead to the Fourth of July and how to ensure safer celebrations.

The two city councils are scheduled to meet jointly at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Jackson City Hall to discuss common issues, including fireworks. After months of discussion at their separate board meetings, both boards hope to approve fireworks restrictions at the joint session.

The Cape Girardeau City Council wants to ban the public from buying and shooting off all aerial fireworks, including Roman candles and skyrockets. In Jackson, city officials say they don't want a blanket ban. Jackson aldermen want to prohibit only the sale and use of bottle rockets and other fireworks that are launched on a stick.

Some Cape Girardeau councilmen say Fourth of July fireworks have made neighborhoods seem like war zones. "In my neighborhood it looks like 'Apocalypse Now' every Fourth of July," said Ward 4 Councilman Hugh White, referring to the acclaimed Vietnam War movie.

Officials in Jackson and Cape Girardeau say it would be harder to enforce new restrictions if the two cities, which border each other, enact different laws. The cities' elected leaders are trying to agree on fireworks restrictions, a goal that took center stage after a Jackson firefighter's home caught fire last June while the family was out of town. The fire was caused by bottle rockets.

Cape Girardeau already bans bottle rockets. There is no such restriction in Jackson.

Officials in both cities say they're in basic agreement on restrictions that would:

Shorten the time period for sale and discharge of fireworks from two weeks to one week. That week would start on June 27 and run through July 4.

Make it unlawful for anyone under 17 years of age to buy fireworks.

Make it unlawful for anyone under 17 years of age to possess or discharge fireworks unless under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.

Cape Girardeau Ward 2 Councilman Charlie Herbst said he would support banning only rocket fireworks rather than all aerial devices in order to reach agreement with the Jackson board.

Jackson Mayor Paul Sander and local fireworks vendors said a ban of all aerial devices would eliminate the sale and use of all fireworks by the public except fountains and sparklers.

The Cape Girardeau city proposal would allow aerial devices to be used in community fireworks displays such as those sponsored by local governments or civic groups.

'Pretty extreme move'

Chris Wheeler, part owner of Patriot Fireworks, which sells fireworks from temporary stands in Cape Girardeau and Jackson each Fourth of July season, said banning aerial fireworks except for professional displays would limit local vendors to selling only novelty items.

"It would put into question whether or not we could stay in business and make enough money to make it work," he said.

Wheeler said the Cape Girardeau council proposal is "a pretty extreme move."

Richard Hoffman of Cape Girardeau, who operates the retail and wholesale Hoffman Family Fireworks, said there's good reason to outlaw rocket-type fireworks that can travel 300 to 400 yards. "They are much more unpredictable in terms of their flight," he said.

But Hoffman said there's no need to ban the sale and discharge of all aerial fireworks. The larger, nonrocket displays typically cost more, are bought by adults and are much safer than inexpensive fireworks, he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123