Nevada City CA bans fireworks sales for 2009, but still allows use

Nevada City Council 2009-05-30 voted to ban fireworks sales, but not use, in accordance with a written request from its Fire Chief.

Nevada City Fire Chief Sam Goodspeed had the good sense to detect which way the wind in Nevada County was blowing, and support the trend toward greater public safety. Allowing fireworks detonation within Nevada City limits is a good idea, one that he should be commended for. It is far, far lower risk to have fireworks detonated on asphalt near fire stations and medical response, than out in the rural county near dry grass, with someone's half-full beer bottle as the only available extinguisher.

Unfortunately, Nevada City Mayor Barbara Coffman still doesn't get it. Fortunately, her opinion didn't carry the day. “The council realized that maybe next year we’ll reconsider sales,” Mayor Barbara Coffman said Friday afternoon. “If you can use them, why can’t you sell them? We can use the tax dollars here. Next year, I want it on the calendar earlier so we can consider sales.” It was hard to support banning such a longstanding fundraising effort, Coffman said. “Fireworks on the Fourth of July are a Nevada City tradition,” she said. Coffman did not see selling fireworks as a liability issue, noting, “As in the past, vendors would have to tell people where they can use them legally.”

Mayor Coffman just doesn't realize that fireworks sold in Nevada City don't necessarily stay in Nevada City - they migrate to dangerously dry rural areas of the county. She somehow thinks that vendors displaying a piece of paper or telling buyers where to use fireworks legally, actually affects where they are detonated, and by whom. Barbara, I have a dirty little secret to share with you: kids don't stop playing with matches because they were told once not to. And another little secret: People still drink and drive and throw burning cigarettes out their car windows, even though they know it is illegal. Because "It won't happen to me."

Mayor Coffman just doesn't get that alternative fundraising methods are not only possible, but working for local charities. Perhaps next year (when she is no longer Mayor), she will have had time to get up to speed on these issues. To sense which way the wind is blowing. To put public safety first.

Now, if only the CA agricultural inspection stations would inspect for illegal fireworks being brought from out of state...

Now, if only Nevada County would actually enforce provisions related to curbing fireworks use in the rural county...

Smokey The Bear states that 90% of wildfires are caused by humans. Let's reduce that by changing California Law to enable wet weather sales of fireworks, so charity groups could sell fireworks for New Year's celebrations (wet years only), with agreement from local jurisdictions...