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At the culmination of a three-hour public hearing where 27 people spoke Wednesday night, the Grass Valley City Council voted unanimously to leave the city's fireworks ordinance as it stands.
The city will continue to allow state-approved "safe and sane" fireworks to be sold by nonprofit groups between June 28 through July 4 to anyone 18 or over.
Fire chief Jim Marquis had proposed restricting the sales to Grass Valley residents, while the council respectfully rejected the recommendation.
"I think it's a great tradition and I'd like to see it continue," Mayor Mark Johnson said.
Some residents and officials had raised the concern about hazards stemming from the fireworks.
City council members listened to residents who were both for and against a ban on fireworks, while they sided with service club members who gain their revenue from fireworks sales, including Chicago Park 4H.
"I applaud you," Councilwoman Jan Arbuckle told the service club members. "Your wonderful to stand up for what you believe in."
Council members said they made their decision in support of tradition and patriotism and they supported a push for higher penalties to people who violate the ordinance.
"I give the council my full support," Chief Marquis said, adding that legal fireworks pose minimal risk to the community.
To contact Staff writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail rmoormeister@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
The city will continue to allow state-approved "safe and sane" fireworks to be sold by nonprofit groups between June 28 through July 4 to anyone 18 or over.
Fire chief Jim Marquis had proposed restricting the sales to Grass Valley residents, while the council respectfully rejected the recommendation.
"I think it's a great tradition and I'd like to see it continue," Mayor Mark Johnson said.
Some residents and officials had raised the concern about hazards stemming from the fireworks.
City council members listened to residents who were both for and against a ban on fireworks, while they sided with service club members who gain their revenue from fireworks sales, including Chicago Park 4H.
"I applaud you," Councilwoman Jan Arbuckle told the service club members. "Your wonderful to stand up for what you believe in."
Council members said they made their decision in support of tradition and patriotism and they supported a push for higher penalties to people who violate the ordinance.
"I give the council my full support," Chief Marquis said, adding that legal fireworks pose minimal risk to the community.
To contact Staff writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail rmoormeister@theunion.com or call 477-4236.
