Anaheim : Council to Discuss Fireworks Initiative

The City Council is scheduled to decide Tuesday on the various issues left unresolved this week regarding a fireworks initiative on the Nov. 4 ballot.

In addition to approving the exact wording that will appear on the ballot, the council has to determine whether there will be pro and con arguments, and, if so, who will write what argument and whether the council members will sign on either side. At Tuesday’s meeting, the city officials could not agree on any of the fireworks-related issues.

As proposed by City Atty. Jack L. White, the wording on the ballot could read: “Shall Chapter 6.40 of the Anaheim Municipal Code be amended to prohibit the retail sale of all fireworks within the City of Anaheim and prohibit the possession or discharge of any fireworks within the City of Anaheim except pursuant to a public display permit issued by the fire chief?”

Councilwoman Miriam Kaywood--a longtime advocate of placing the fireworks issue to a vote--argued that the word “ban” should be included in the question. Kaywood said she was concerned that “it looks like you vote yes to say no.” Other council members said they thought the question and the word prohibit were clear.

Anaheim earlier this month reversed its longstanding opposition to placing a fireworks ban proposal on the ballot. The council’s decision followed a July 3 Anaheim apartment complex fire which was blamed on illegal fireworks. The fire left dozens of families homeless and caused about $2.2 million in damage.