The council approved the ordinance on first reading at its last meeting that would ban the possession and sale of mortar-type, reloadable shells and shorten the fireworks selling season by one day – going from June 27- July 5 and Dec. 25-Jan. 2 to June 28-July 5 and Dec. 26-Jan.2.

The council voted 6-1 with Vice Mayor Chris Bratcher dissenting.

Bratcher said at the meeting he felt “the masses were being punished for the smaller few who want to misuse the product and who still have the opportunity to go outside the city limits to purchase the product.”

Councilman David Edwards disagreed saying Murfreesboro is one the largest cities in the state that does not have restrictions on fireworks.

The proposed ban stems from recent incidents with police officers and Edwards.

Edwards, who was hit by mortar shrapnel over the summer, said in a previous interview the way the law is written buying mortar shells outside of town and bringing them here would be illegal, because possession of mortars is also banned along with selling the shells.

Edwards also cited recent incidents with a police officer in Columbia this summer and another involving two Murfreesboro Police Officers last summer.

The Murfreesboro incident led Police Chief Glenn Chrisman to request a ban on virtually all fireworks in May. The council decided to take a closer look at the issue at the time and declined making a decision.

Edwards said it was these incidents and not the October fire at Fireworks Supermarket that prompted the proposed ban on mortar shells.

Buy one, Get one

Because of past success, Murfreesboro will consider offering special discounts at local recreational facilities in December and January.

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation plans to offer a “Buy one. Get one free” pass special at SportsCom and Patterson Park Community Center from Dec. 15-31 and a 25-percent discount at the facilities from Jan. 2-31, 2008.

Parks and Rec has offered the special for the past few years and has seen a “very positive” response from the community, Parks and Rec Director Dennis Rainier said.

“The special has proved to be a very economical incentive to our patrons as well as a tool for us to stimulate renewals and new memberships at both facilities,” Rainier said in the proposal.

Murfreesboro City Council must approve the special deal at its Thursday night meeting for it to go into effect.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.