City aims to reduce fireworks sans ban

Deirdre Newman

Fireworks will sparkle and sizzle in Costa Mesa this Fourth of July

despite some residents’ calls for an outright ban.

The City Council tightened its handling of firework sales, on

Monday based on a slew of suggestions by Councilman Mike Scheafer.

The decision essentially means that the number of fireworks stands

and the type of fireworks that can be sold will be reduced. But it

stops far short of banning all pyrotechnics, leading some to charge

that the council is merely prolonging the inevitable -- outlawing

fireworks as many cities in Orange County have already done.

Scheafer was inspired to modify the city’s firework rules after

one of his neighbors was severely burned when a sparkler she lighted

ignited her clothes. As a member of the Lions Club, Scheafer has

helped sell fireworks for the past three years and said he is not

interested in eliminating them altogether.

“I’m pleased that the rest of the City Council recognized that we

need to do something,” Scheafer said. “I think what we’ve proposed,

and what staff proposed, will make some differences and that’s what

we need to do.”

Some residents, however, would like to see an outright ban.

“We’re going to have to pull the trigger sooner or later,” said

resident Sam Clark. “Let’s do it now.”

The council was not ready to go that far, but did approve

prohibiting the individual sale of hand-held devices, like Purple

Rain Candles and EZ-Glow Torches, and spinners. It also reduced the

number of fireworks stands to a maximum of 40, which will be

permitted by an annual lottery. The stands are manned by various

groups as fundraisers.

In 1990, voters were split over whether to keep selling fireworks.

At the time, the council decided to continue to allow safe and sane

fireworks and impose some restrictions. Former Mayor Sandra Genis,

who was on the council at the time, said she regrets that decision.

“There are certain things one looks back at over a council career

and says, ‘boy, was I dumb,’” Genis said. “I thought we could make

rules to limit the hours, limit the types [of fireworks] and citizens

would obey those rules. But, boy was I dumb.”

On Monday, many residents argued that the positive opportunity for

fundraising shouldn’t justify the dangerous potential of fireworks.

“I know they need to raise money, but does the end justify the

means?” asked Anne Hogan-Shereshevsky. “Not in this case. What are

other cities in the county doing to raise money?”

Other residents complained that allowing certain fireworks

promotes the use of illegal pyrotechnics.

“Having fireworks at all encourages illegal fireworks,” resident

Beth Refakes said. “In cities that don’t have them, it’s so quiet,

you can hear a pin drop.”

Councilwoman Libby Cowan worried about the environmental pollution

fireworks cause.

“The amount of trash and discharge that goes into the streets and

storm drains is considerable, and I’m a big fan of fireworks,” Cowan

said. “It may be time to step up and say, we’re not going to allow

the discharge and contribution to degradation of the water quality.”

The only speaker in favor of continuing to sell the fireworks has

a stake in their sale. Douglas Bennett, executive director of the

Orange Coast College Foundation, expressed concern that college teams

would be denied a lucrative fundraising opportunity. Scheafer agreed

that fireworks could raise substantial sums for various groups.

“A friend today said, ‘where else can you raise $10,000 in four

days?’” Scheafer said. “In other cities, they say, ‘you want to play

football, you pay $1,200.’”

Despite some council members’ reservations about fireworks, the

council unanimously approved Scheafer’s suggestions. Councilman Chris

Steel suggested that if residents feel passionate enough about

banning fireworks, they should put it on the ballot again.

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].