Council debates ‘explosive issue’

At the direction of the city council, city staff members are drafting several ordinances that could lead to the limited legalization of fireworks for use in Maricopa.

“I think we should prohibit the use of fireworks in the city except on and around Cinco de Mayo, New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July,” said Maricopa Mayor Anthony Smith.

City code currently prohibits the use of fireworks within city limits, but on Nov. 30 a new state law went into effect allowing retailers across the state to sell low-grade ground-based fireworks.

“The new law doesn’t allow cities to prohibit the sale of fire works, just the use,” said Maricopa Fire Chief Wade Brannon.

Brannon said he noticed the local Walmart has already begun to sell fireworks and from his conversations with store employees, the products are selling well.

However, store representatives also told Deputy Fire Chief Mark Boys that they only planned to market the fireworks around the Fourth of July and New Year’s holidays.

Both fire department leaders said they would ideally like to see the use of fireworks eliminated, but that a more realistic goal would be to eliminate usage in times of dry climate and provide public education on the dangers of fire works.

“People are going to use fireworks whether we restrict usage or not,” Brannon said.

All members of the city council agreed that fireworks should be allowed either on a full-time or limited basis, but said there needed to be restrictions on where the products were placed in stores.

“If you go to Walmart, the fireworks display is next to the Christmas toy displays. It is clear these products are being marketed to children and I am not comfortable with that,” said Councilmember Carl Diedrich.

To remedy the problem, it was suggested restrictions similar to those on the sale of spray paint could be placed on fireworks.

Other fireworks related issues debated by the city council included charging higher permit fees to part-time retailers of fireworks and the placement of signs where fireworks are sold describing city regulations.

Council directed staff to bring back several recommendations that allowed year-round usage and limited-time usage at a future meeting.

Regardless of council’s action, Chief Brannon said a new code would not be in place in time for the New Year’s holiday.