| Remember! Some fireworks now banned |
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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
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Posted: Sunday, June 14, 2009 6:59 am
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As the Fourth of July approaches, many a tent will be pitched and fireworks will be sold to honor the nation’s birth with spectacular light displays.
But some of the pyrotechnics previously found in the backyards of overgrown children are now illegal in Murfreesboro’s city limits because of several incidents involving Murfreesboro police officers and a city councilman.
“As a result, last year the council passed restrictions to the fireworks ordinance in an effort to keep citizens, visitors, and police officers safe as well as minimize the risk of property damage for residents and city property,” Murfreesboro Police Department spokesman Kyle Evans said.
Last December, Murfreesboro City Council passed an ordinance that bans the possession and sale of mortar-type, reloadable shells and shortens 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.
That hasn’t stopped fireworks sellers from coming to town, though, and the city’s planning department hasn’t seen a drop off in applications.
Principal City Planner Matthew Blomeley said the city has approved 16 temporary vendor permits so far for this fireworks season, which is about the same as last year.
City Planning Director Joseph Aydelotte said he is pleased with how the ban is working out.
“What I’m finding in particular is it’s causing people to do a little bit better job and helping the public,” he said.
Aydelotte also said he’s heard rumors about the torched Fireworks Supermarket rebuilding in the future, but nothing official has been filed with the city.
Owners of the store could not be reached for comment.
The ban stems from an incident with Councilman David Edwards last year and repetitive incidents with police officers over the years.
Edwards, who was hit by fireworks mortar shrapnel last summer while riding with a police patrol, 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.
Vice Mayor Chris Bratcher was the only councilman dissenting on all three readings.
Bratcher said at the council’s Nov. 20 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.”
Edwards disagreed saying Murfreesboro is one the largest cities in the state that does not have restrictions on fireworks.
Evans said MPD will enforce the ban by issuing citations and confiscating illegal fireworks.
“As always, if someone uses an explosive devise as a weapon, they may be charged with criminal offences such as aggravated assault,” he added.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com. |
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