Washington fireworks ban ready for final reading

WASHINGTON – After discussing a new fireworks ordinance at multiple City Council meetings, Washington council members voted to move the ordinance to a third reading.

The new ordinance will ban fireworks in the city limits year-round.

City Council members had little discussion before voting 4-2, moving the ordinance to a third reading.

City Council member Fran Stigers said he surveyed homes in his ward and found 66.4 percent of his ward wants fireworks.

Stigers and Steven Gault voted against the new ordinance.

During the Aug. 15 council meeting, the ordinance will be discussed one more time. The ordinance needs to pass with a 2/3 majority vote, and Mayor Jaron Rosien said if everyone votes the same again it will pass.

If community members do not agree with the new ordinance, it can be discussed again if two council members wish for it to be on the agenda unless the mayor determines it an unreasonable request, Rosien said.

Rosien said even if fireworks are illegal to be set off in the city limits, they will still be sold in the city during the times around Fourth of July and New Year's.

'This is the state law, and we cannot change it at the local level,” Rosien said.

Rosien said if fireworks are illegal, individuals may still set them off especially on the Fourth of July. It is difficult to track a location and issue a citation.

'If citizens wish to have this law enforced they will have to be willing to call in violations, and potentially provide evidence of violations or be willing to testify as an eyewitness to violations,” Rosien said.