Local officials don?t expect to see dramatic change with new fireworks law

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News

Although many local officials and residents are harboring a wait-and-see attitude on the effects of the new fireworks law in Iowa, Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee has his mind made up.

McNamee doesn?t like it and his disapproval is based on his investigation over a decade ago of a fatal fireworks accident. ?It was the most gruesome call I ever covered,? he reflected.

When the Iowa Legislature began talking during the recent session about legalizing the sale and discharge of fireworks in Iowa, McNamee said it conjured up thoughts of the fatal accident.

?I don?t think the general public realizes how dangerous they are,? McNamee pointed out. ?Some are lethal, I would say they are comparable to a grenade. I am very stern (regarding the discharging of fireworks) and have zero tolerance.

?The troubling thing is most fireworks are used with alcohol,? McNamee continued. ?Fireworks are dangerous in themselves and when you compound it with alcohol, it becomes a very dangerous situation.?

Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Ron Archer doesn?t anticipate more than the normal amount of fireworks complaints this year. ?I think we will have complaints either way,? Archer said. ?If people are smart and don?t use them late at night or close to neighbors? houses we will be okay. The first year we will see what works and what doesn?t and then tweak it for future years. We may get more complaints because more people might be using them.?

Due to Henry County?s proximity to Missouri, Archer said, ?When they were illegal, people here were still using them.?

He said he doesn?t anticipate the new law making the job of law enforcement officers more difficult. ?I really don?t think it (job) will be tougher. If people use them in a responsible manner we will be okay.?

Brent Schleisman, Mt. Pleasant city administrator, is another of those taking a ?wait and see? attitude. ?I am not quite sure of the law?s impact here. So far, it hasn?t been much of an issue. I am impartial to it either way.?

He said the city thus far has received two applications from individuals for temporary fireworks stands, both of which will be in the parking lots of businesses.

Mt. Pleasant American Legion Commander Dean King said he thought the new law would not have a significant impact here. ?As close as we are to Missouri, there are always plenty of fireworks around here. There may be a little increase (in the amount of fireworks) here. The state should enjoy the revenue.?

He said if the state is going to legalize fireworks, he has no problems with the law passed during the last legislative session.

Kent White, a Mt. Pleasant city councilman and U.S. Navy veteran, said he agrees with the decision of the Mt. Pleasant City Council and Henry County Board of Supervisors to go with state code on the fireworks law.

?I think it would be premature for a government body to put more restrictions (on the law) than what was passed before it goes through one cycle,? White began. ?I am expecting some input (from citizens). Later, we may want to put some limitations on it. I don?t want everybody selling fireworks from their garage. I think they (fireworks) should be sold by large retailers.?

White said that initially he thinks fireworks use may increase in the county because the law is new. ?Once the newness wears off, I think use will decrease.?

The city official said he understands the people?s concerns over the discharging of fireworks, saying fireworks should be set off in a controlled environment by professionals. I can sympathize with people who have seen people being injured by fireworks.

?I sort of wish they hadn?t passed it, I didn?t see a need or demand for it,? White continued. ?I think the state saw the revenue in it.?

Henry County Supervisor Chairman Marc Lindeen said he thought the new law?s impact on Henry County and southeast Iowa will not be as strong as other places in Iowa. ?I don?t expect too much of an impact because of our closeness to Missouri and the short time sellers have to get their stands erected.?

The supervisors? thinking, in opting to follow state code, largely was because of the short time to tinker with the law and the newness of the measure. ?We look at it as it came on such quick notice and we didn?t have time to study it and see how it would impact us. We will see if anything needs changing after the first law and make changes if necessary.?

Asked whether he thinks the state was looking at the new law behind ?dollar bill glasses,? Lindeen said he can?t say that was the reason ?but it is in the back of my mind.?

McNamee says the legislature did a ?360? regarding fireworks. ?Before the legislature said revenue was not important and safety was the key factor. Now, they have taken the opposite stance. Legislators aren?t pounding the streets seeing what is happening. Squeaky wheels are squeaking, but are they thinking what is best for the state? I don?t think so.?