Fireworks extinguished in Moses Lake
Celebrations on schedule for this summer, ban takes effect in 2007
MOSES LAKE — The argument for public safety outweighed other factors for majority city council members Tuesday, who voted to do away with personal fireworks in the city limits after this summer.
Some councilmen reiterated comments in voting for a ban on the sale and discharge of fireworks that they could not make an argument against the public safety of citizens. But the debate didn't end without a few sparks igniting between council members and fireworks ban opponents seeking a vote on the issue.
Supporters and opponents of the ban came in sparser numbers Tuesday then they did a month ago, but tensions and comments rang just as high. Following heated discussion during public comment periods, during which council members asked for points of order to the proceedings, the council voted 6-1 to pass the ordinance, with councilman Jim Liebrecht casting the sole no vote.
During public comment, Jack Childress told council members people in his neighborhood have been suffering property damage from fireworks for the last several years.
"I think the most important part of this ordinance is public safety," Childress said.
Jack Hughes is the owner of Discount Fireworks which has operated three stands in Moses Lake through local nonprofit groups for the last several years. Hughes compared the Fourth of July to other events which go on in the city each summer, requiring an additional presence of police and fire crews. He told council members about 6,500 people bought fireworks from his three stands last summer, out of 11 stands in the city limits.
"People aren't buying them because they don't want to have them in town," Hughes said. "They are buying them because they like fireworks and they like to shoot them off."
Hughes was the first to bring up the idea by ban opponents to gather enough signatures to place the measure on the ballot, but city attorney Jim Whitaker said during the discussion that current city codes do not allow for council-passed law to be impacted by initiatives and referendums.
City Manager Joe Gavinski said after the vote that because the city has not opted for the initiative and referendum process, any signatures gathered and brought to the city will be advisory, and the question of a vote would have to be decided by the council.
Rich Archer, a member of the Sand Scorpions who raise funds money for their annual activities through the sale of fireworks, said he thought city residents would be better served by a vote. He added the majority of people he has spoken to don't want to see fireworks banned.
"I'm a citizen and I believe my rights are just as important as yours, and I'd like a vote on it," Archer said.
Mayor Ron Covey responded by saying approximately 9 out of 10 people who had contacted him said they were supportive of a ban.
Liebrecht was the sole vote against the ban, told Archer he was 100 percent supportive of the idea to put the ban on the ballot.
Fireworks stands will still find their way to city curbs this summer; state law requires a one-year phasing in period for the plan, which would ban the sale and discharge of the devices beginning in 2007. This summer in the city, fireworks will be allowed for sale for about a week prior to Independence Day, and will be allowed for discharge solely on July 4.
Moses Lake became the newest city in eastern Washington to ban the explosive devices, which have also been banned in Kennewick, Pasco and Spokane. Cities including Ephrata, Richland and Wenatchee currently allow the devices on a restricted basis.
In voting in favor of the ban, Councilman Richard Pearce predicted it would eventually be passed by cities and counties throughout the state.
"It only makes sense that we do this," Pearce said.