STANTON : Council to Consider Allowing Fireworks

Three of the five City Council members said this week they favor legalizing fireworks and called for a public hearing on April 12 at which they may vote to allow the fireworks.

The Orange County Fire Department, which provides fire protection in Stanton, opposed legalizing fireworks when the council considered the subject a year ago.

Councilman William C. Estrada, who denounced fireworks a year ago, said at Tuesday’s council meeting that he is ready to legalize them.

He said he has learned that most fires are caused by illegal fireworks, not the “safe and sane” type that the city might legalize.

“Safe and sane” is a designation given by the state to fireworks that have a limited amount of powder in them.

But fire department officials have said “safe and sane” fireworks still have the ability to wound people and start fires.

Councilman Harry Dotson said he wants to legalize fireworks so that nonprofit organizations can sell them to raise money.

Estrada said he would support a one-year trial legalization. Mayor Sal Sapien said he also favors lifting the ban on fireworks.

But Councilman Don Martinez said he cannot vote to legalize fireworks. “We’ve seen the damage caused by fire--it’s tremendous,” Martinez said. “I’m not going to be able to answer someone who has a child hurt, or has a home lost to fire.”

“I’d really like to hear from the public,” said Linda J. Pappas Diaz, the newest member of the council.