[Helper]

Taken from the globe 6/19/2007



City OKs fireworks ban waiver
By Mark Vierthaler
Dodge City Daily Globe

The Dodge City Commission voted unanimously Monday to temporarily lift the ban on the use of fireworks within the city limits for the Fourth of July.
Fire Chief Dan Williamson said he and Police Chief John Ball had met and discussed the terms of enforcement for the temporary waiver.

On July 2, 3 and 4, residents of Dodge City will be allowed to discharge fireworks within city limits, on their own property, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Williamson said not all fireworks regulations will be affected by the waiver. Revelers will not be allowed to use fireworks on city-owned property or within 5,000 feet of the hospital entrance.

During the city's fireworks display on July 4, people will also be restricted from discharging fireworks in the Civic Center and Memorial Stadium parking lots.

Williamson said anyone caught violating the guidelines would first be warned, then issued a ticket.

Commissioner Terry Lee said some people had expressed concern that 11 p.m. was too late to allow fireworks to be set off.

Williamson said it would be a double standard for the city to start its own fireworks show between 10 and 11 p.m. and then not allow citizens the same right.

It was important for people to realize that Dodge was still under a ban, Williamson said, even if it was temporarily not in effect.

"Mom and dad need to know it's only for three days," he said. "So, they need to let their children know."