By Mary Clarkin
The Hutchinson News
Michelob Ultra
Reno County commissioners don't want to compress the Fourth of July fireworks season from the state-allowed nine days to four days - the preference of their counterparts at Hutchinson City Hall.
But a majority of county commissioners would support shaving two days off the start of the season. That would postpone the beginning of sales and discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas to June 29.
Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff opened the discussion Tuesday at the Courthouse by telling county leaders the City Council desired a shared timeframe for sale and discharge of fireworks. Further, the City Council's consensus was that fireworks activity in the city should be limited to July 1 through July 4.
The state allows fireworks activity for up to nine days - June 27 through July 5 - and when the county lifted its ban in 2005 and the city lifted its ban in 2006, they both took their cues from state law. Noise complaints, however, spurred city leaders to revisit the topic.
County Commission Chairwoman Frances Garcia, noting that reunions often coincide with the holiday period, suggested allowing sales/discharge to begin Saturday, June 30.
County Commissioner Francis "Shep" Schoepf recommended a kickoff Friday, June 29, so vendors would have good weekend sales.
County Counselor Joe O'Sullivan pointed out that trying to tie the holiday to a weekend could require amending the county fireworks resolution yearly as July 4 moves to a different day of the week.
Deardoff said City Council members wanted to avoid that, but Commissioner Larry Sharp didn't consider it a big issue to review the dates every year.
Personally, Sharp said, the state's nine-day period did not seem too long, especially when compared to the Christmas season. And, Sharp said, the Fourth of July was "the next best thing" after Christmas.
Under the county's current fireworks resolution, fireworks discharge is allowed from 8 a.m. to midnight June 27 through July 5. The sale of fireworks is allowed from June 27 through July 4.
Neither county nor city officials have adopted new rules for this year. Deardoff anticipated City Council action March 6.
The Hutchinson News
Michelob Ultra
Reno County commissioners don't want to compress the Fourth of July fireworks season from the state-allowed nine days to four days - the preference of their counterparts at Hutchinson City Hall.
But a majority of county commissioners would support shaving two days off the start of the season. That would postpone the beginning of sales and discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas to June 29.
Hutchinson City Manager John Deardoff opened the discussion Tuesday at the Courthouse by telling county leaders the City Council desired a shared timeframe for sale and discharge of fireworks. Further, the City Council's consensus was that fireworks activity in the city should be limited to July 1 through July 4.
The state allows fireworks activity for up to nine days - June 27 through July 5 - and when the county lifted its ban in 2005 and the city lifted its ban in 2006, they both took their cues from state law. Noise complaints, however, spurred city leaders to revisit the topic.
County Commission Chairwoman Frances Garcia, noting that reunions often coincide with the holiday period, suggested allowing sales/discharge to begin Saturday, June 30.
County Commissioner Francis "Shep" Schoepf recommended a kickoff Friday, June 29, so vendors would have good weekend sales.
County Counselor Joe O'Sullivan pointed out that trying to tie the holiday to a weekend could require amending the county fireworks resolution yearly as July 4 moves to a different day of the week.
Deardoff said City Council members wanted to avoid that, but Commissioner Larry Sharp didn't consider it a big issue to review the dates every year.
Personally, Sharp said, the state's nine-day period did not seem too long, especially when compared to the Christmas season. And, Sharp said, the Fourth of July was "the next best thing" after Christmas.
Under the county's current fireworks resolution, fireworks discharge is allowed from 8 a.m. to midnight June 27 through July 5. The sale of fireworks is allowed from June 27 through July 4.
Neither county nor city officials have adopted new rules for this year. Deardoff anticipated City Council action March 6.
