Council clears up fireworks confusion

Independence City Manager Robert Heacock made it clear Monday night that an amendment to the city’s fireworks ordinance in 2001 was the result of a City Council vote and not that of a citizens’ vote.

Heacock said bloggers on The Examiner’s Web site have erroneously blogged that city staff is attempting to overturn a vote by citizens that banned possession of fireworks within city limits.

In fact, Heacock said, it was a City Council vote that banned possession, manufacture, sale and use of fireworks within city limits, except by a professional approved by the Fire Department.

“I’ve been here for 10 years, and I pretty much know every ballot issue that has come up for vote,” Heacock said.

Last week The Examiner reported that city officials propose allowing the use of consumer grade fireworks by a person 16 and older from July 3 to July 5 and for not-for-profit religious and community services organizations to sell fireworks within city limits from June 23 until July 5.

The story contained a phrase that may have not made it clear the Council enacted the ban, possibly leading to the confusion.

The Council is expected to hear a reading of the ordinance in January.