Grass Valley bans fireworks

From: The Union
http://www.theunion.com/article/20090513/NEWS/905129951

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Despite impassioned pleas to keep Fourth of July fireworks bursting in Grass Valley, the City Council approved a year-round ban on sales, use and possession of them Tuesday night.

Wildfire concerns were the major reason Fire Chief Tony Clarabut brought a new ordinance before the council calling for the wholesale ban, while acknowledging that blocking city limits sales could harm the fundraising of various civic, church and youth groups in Nevada County.

Although Clarabut admitted that less than 1 percent of wildfires are started by fireworks, “The risk of catastrophic fire in the community,” was too large to allow future fireworks sales.

He was echoed by former city fire chief and current county Supervisor Hank Weston and Calfire area Unit Chief Brad Harris.

“Don’t ban fireworks because we really need them,” said Tiana Thomas, a member of the Chicago Park 4-H Club that has sold fireworks in Grass Valley in recent years as a successful fundraiser. “We go out and use the money for community services,” like Adopt-A-Family, and donations to the Red Cross and the Fire Safe Council of Nevada City.

“It’s a big revenue in a short period of time,” said Scott Harms of Rough and Ready who has benefited from fireworks sales in the past. “They make a huge impact on what they can do.”

Nevada County resident Shamus Brown said the personal fireworks previously allowed in Grass Valley made for good gatherings. He also said Clarabut’s claim that 12 fires were started by fireworks from 2003 to 2007 included illegal fireworks as well as the “Safe and sane” fireworks sold in Grass Valley and was thereby misleading.

The only council member to vote against the ban was Dan Miller, who said, “You can’t regulate stupidity,” and that a vast law-abiding majority should not be punished for what a few foolish people may do with fireworks.

That didn’t deter Mayor Lisa Swarthout who said the council was not professional firefighters but should take the word of those who are for everyone’s safety.

“These are the ones who run into the burning buildings,” Swarthout said. “It would be remiss of us not to listen.”

If a large fire was traced to fireworks sold in Grass Valley, “The city would be responsible and liable,” said Councilwoman Jan Arbuckle, who joined Swarthout and other council members Chauncey Poston and Yolanda Cookson to authorize the ban.