Fireworks bill a concern for local fire departments

            In recent weeks, the state legislature has passed a new firework bill lifting a decades long ban on sales of fireworks in Iowa, leading to some concern from local fireman and leaders.

            The bill, approved by the Iowa House 56-41 last month, will allow vendors to sell consumer grade fireworks from June 1 through July 8 and from December 10 to January 3, in either permanent retail stores to even in temporary tents set up around the 4^th of July.

            Meanwhile, cities are still processing the law and what can be done about it at the local level. Sigourney City Councilman Randy Schultz expressed concern over how the legislation seemingly came into being without more consideration from Iowa cities.

            “The downside of dealing with this is that the state in their wisdom pass things today, sign it, and then put it in place,” Schultz said. “We don’t even have the opportunity to go through due process to change our ordinance by the dates that the sales and displays become effective. We’re hamstrung on making changes right now.”

Please view the May 10 edition of The News-Review for the full story.