STANTON : City Deadlocks on Lifting Firework Ban

The City Council deadlocked 2 to 2 last week on a motion to lift the ban on “safe and sane” fireworks in the city.

The proposal thus failed, but could be brought up at a later date.

“Safe and sane” is a classification determined by the state fire marshal’s office, which tests all fireworks that may be sold in California.

A fuse on such fireworks must burn for at least three seconds, according to Hugh Council, a division chief at the fire marshal’s office. Flames from fountain fireworks may not shoot higher than eight inches, and the sparks may not fly farther than 10 feet.

“Safe and sane” fireworks can still start fires or injure people, Council said.

“They’re devices that definitely need to be taken seriously,” he said. “People need to be cautious when using them.”

Former Councilman David John Shawver had asked the council to legalize the fireworks in October, 1992. Because the issue is considered politically hot, the council decided to wait to make a decision until the new council was seated.

“Safe and sane” fireworks were banned in 1988 after a narrow majority of residents voted against their use.

Shawver said local nonprofit organizations should be allowed to raise money by selling the fireworks, which may only be sold for nine days around July 4.

“Why have you even considered going against the majority of the voters?” resident Eleanor St. Clair asked the council at its regular meeting Tuesday. St. Clair said council members were paying too much attention to fireworks manufacturers, who had sent a lobbyist to an earlier meeting.

Four people in the audience held signs denouncing the fireworks, which are legal for sale or use in only four cities in Orange County.

The Orange County Fire Department, which provides fire services to Stanton, has strongly opposed lifting the ban.

“I find the use of the word ‘sane’ to be quite contradictory with the word ‘fireworks,’ ” resident Cheri Lee Rumler-Upright told the council.

Councilmen Sal Sapien and Harry Dotson voted to lift the ban. Councilman Joe V. Harris and Mayor Don Martinez voted against it.

The recent death of Councilman William H. Horton left the council without a tiebreaking vote.