Repeal of San Fernando’s Fireworks Ban Sought

Two men who appear to be affiliated with a fireworks firm filed a petition Wednesday asking the San Fernando City Council to repeal an ordinance prohibiting fireworks sales or give the voters the chance to do so, city officials said.

The law requires that such petitions be filed only by residents. The two used the home address of city Planning Commissioner Helen Arriola and her husband, Ralph, executive director of the Latin American Civic Assn.

San Fernando City Administrator Donald E. Penman, who serves as city clerk, said the petition appears to have been signed by about 800 people, about 200 more than are required under state law.

The signatures, which must total at least 10% of the city’s registered voters, still must be verified. If the referendum is validated, the City Council must rescind the ordinance or put it before the voters.

The council in January abolished a 40-year tradition by banning the sale of Fourth of July fireworks, bowing to a Los Angeles threat to discontinue Fire Department service to San Fernando if sales continued. Fireworks were prohibited years ago in Los Angeles as a fire hazard, but residents continued buying them in San Fernando.

The January decision affected about 20 nonprofit San Fernando groups that raised funds by selling fireworks. Penman said the market was worth $300,000 to $400,000 to fireworks manufacturers.

Jess Engler and Daniel Wilson presented Penman with the petition, giving their legal residence as 618 Lazard St., a home owned by the Arriolas.

Ralph Arriola described Engler and Wilson as friends “looking to see if they can give charities in this community one more shot at selling fireworks.”

He refused to say whether the men lived at his house.

Engler and Wilson could not be reached for comment.

Penman said that when he asked Engler and Wilson if they could be reached by telephone at the Lazard Street address, they stated that they could be reached at a business phone.

“I called that number and the person answered the phone saying ‘Freedom Fireworks,’ ” Penman said. Directory assistance lists the number the men gave Penman as that of Freedom Fireworks in Norwalk. Calls to that number late Wednesday were unanswered.

Penman said the petition was filed too late Wednesday to verify the residency of Engler and Wilson.