Desert Hot Springs to consider allowing Fourth of July fireworks sales

The Desert Hot Springs City Council will consider today allowing the sale of "safe and sane" fireworks by up to four non-profit groups during the Fourth of July weekend.
The move comes following the cancellation of this year's public fireworks show. The sale of fireworks is banned in Desert Hot Springs. "It is likely that many residents in the City may seek to obtain and use fireworks within the City," a May 26 staff report stated.
To make the change, the council would repeal part of the city's municipal code dealing with fireworks and would adopt an urgency ordinance.
The sale of so-called "safe and sane" fireworks - such as sprinklers - "allow fundraising opportunities for non-profit and civic organizations," the report stated.
Last year Coachella, Cathedral City, Indio and Blythe were the only cities in Riverside County to allow the sale and use of State Fire Marshal-approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks.
Desert Hot Springs' ordinance would resemble Cathedral City's, according to the staff report.
The council will weigh the issue during its 5 p.m. meeting today at the Carl May Community Center.

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090526/NEWS01/90526024/Desert+Hot+Springs+to+consider+allowing+Fourth+of+July+fireworks+sales

Ariz. House passes bill to legalize some fireworks

Catherine Holland / azfamily.com
PHOENIX -- Arizonans might be able to celebrate the Fourth of July with their own fireworks this year.
With a vote of 34 to 21, the House on Tuesday approved a bill to legalize sparklers and some types of fireworks. That bill is now going to the Senate.
If the Senate green lights it, Arizonan will be able to buy and use sparklers and fireworks that shoot flames and sparks. Firecrackers that explode or shoot up into the air will remain illegal.
Right now, all fireworks are illegal in Arizona. Buying, selling, using and simply possessing them is against the law, and has been since 1941. That includes skyrockets, firecrackers, torpedoes, Roman candles, daygo bombs, and sparklers. Events that feature fireworks or pyrotechnic displays require a permit from the Arizona State Fire Marshal.
House Bill 2258, which was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Gilbert), would give the fire marshal the power to regulate the sale of consumer-grade fireworks such as sparklers and Roman candles through licenses and fees. Sales on those fireworks would be restricted to those 16 and older.
Fire officials are concerned about the potential safety issues and challenges passage of the bill could pose to local fire departments, not to mention to the potential danger to the community.
"If you have a bottle rocket or you have kids playing with matches ... and it starts to burn down a house, you have a very complicated fire scenario for our firefighters to fight and it's very dangerous," said Phoenix Fire Chief Bob Kahn. "We just are very, very pessimistic when it comes to fireworks."
Along with the Phoenix Fire Department, Phoenix-based Foundation for Burns and Trauma also opposes the bill.
Those who support House Bill 2258 say that sparklers and small pyrotechnics are so small that they do not need government regulation.

http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/stories/phoenix-news-052709-fireworks-law.20904710.html

Senate Rejects Maine Fireworks Bill

AUGUSTA, Maine -- A bill to legalize fireworks sales in Maine is on its way to defeat.
The state Senate voted 23-12 Friday to reject Sen. Walter Gooley's bill. The Farmington Republican wants to set up a system in which businesses buying state licenses could sell fireworks, which have long been illegal in Maine.
Supporters said the licenses would generate $390,000 to the cash-strapped state, and said the bill would make sales of fireworks to anyone under age 21 illegal. They also said 20 states allow fireworks sales.
Opponents said fireworks cause injuries and fires and point to a lack of safeguards in the bill. Democratic Sen. Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick said putting a firecracker down a pipe can create a bomb. He said, "Let's remember these things kill people."
The bill faced a House vote.

http://www.wmtw.com/news/19602346/detail.html

Elk River July 4 fireworks appear all but dead for ’09

By Joni Astrup
It appears the traditional July 4 fireworks show over Lake Orono in Elk River will not happen this year.“At this point, I would say that things aren’t looking that promising to have an event this year, at least from our perspective,” said Paul Sheets, president of the Lake Orono Improvement Association.The Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce usually runs the July 4 events at Lake Orono, which are capped off with fireworks over the lake. But the chamber has bowed out of the event this year.The Elk River City Council had hoped someone else would emerge to at least keep the fireworks show going, and the lake group stepped forward to help.

Sheets said they have commitments for about $10,000, which would cover the cost of the fireworks. That includes $6,000 which the city had budgeted for the event in 2009. The Elk River American Legion also agreed to sponsor the event and act as the clearinghouse for the financial end of things.But other obstacles still stood in the way. Sheets said they would need another $10,000 to $12,000 to cover public safety and other costs, like trash removal, associated with the celebration. They also would need 25 to 30 volunteers. “It just seems at this juncture, so close to the event, it would be difficult to realize all those additional funds and resources to make it happen,” he said.In addition, parking is a challenge.Sheets said a note has been sent to the city, explaining the situation.Elk River City Administrator Lori Johnson said the city appreciates the lake association efforts to try to make fireworks happen this year, but it appears all but dead.

http://erstarnews.com/content/view/7973/26/

Parma Cancels Fourth Of July Fireworks

PARMA, Ohio -- The city of Parma has canceled its annual Fourth of July fireworks in a continuing effort to cut spending.
Donations usually cover the cost of the fireworks, which are displayed at the western campus of Cuyahoga Community College. But this year, Mayor Dean DePiero says the city only collected $16,000 of the necessary $25,000.
DePiero says the real issue, however, is the cost of overtime holiday pay for police, fire, and other city employees.
"That pushes our total cost anywhere from between $40,000 to $50,000. We simply cannot afford it, and we would never invite a large crowd into our community if there was any question of adequate safety," said DePiero.
"I know canceling the fireworks this year is disappointing to our residents," said Mayor DePiero. "And I'm disappointed, too. This was a tough call that I had to make in order to try and stabilize our city budget. The bottom line is we can't spend money we don't have," said DePiero.
The city of Parma recently announced an income tax revenue shortfall of approximately $2.4 million. Non-union city employees are taking a total of 16 unpaid days off from now until the end of the year. The mayor is negotiating with nine city unions, asking its membership for the same agreements. The mayor and members of his administration are among those included in the furlough plan.
The Parma July 4 parade will go on as scheduled.

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/19602297/detail.html

Reno CANCELS Fireworks 4th of July

By noreply@blogger.com (Malinda777)

Folks...some TRUE news is SO BIZARRE...you just can't make this kind of craziness up! And yet you find yourself head in hands pulling your hair out as to how grown adults in charge of a city of several hundred thousand people actually meet and DECIDE that THIS is what's best for ALL OF US!!!

"The Reno City Council agreed Friday to cancel fireworks for the Fourth of July, bowing out to the much bigger Star-Spangled Sparks show in downtown Sparks. It will use that money and other funds to support special events."
Oh Goody!...just what "special events" are we going to use that money on?
"The council agreed that the $7,500 planned for fireworks would be better spent supporting the national hand cycling championship that will be part of the Tour de Nez bicycle classic on June 17-20.

http://www.politicker.com/nevada/86199/reno-cancels-fireworks-4th-july

Reno calls off July Fourth fireworks

By Susan Voyles
The Reno City Council agreed Friday to cancel fireworks for the Fourth of July, bowing out to the much bigger Star-Spangled Sparks show in downtown Sparks, and use that money and other funds to support special events.
The Reno Aces, however, will still have Fourth of July fireworks after their 7 p.m. game at the downtown baseball stadium.
The council agreed that the $7,500 planned for fireworks would be better spent supporting the national hand cycling championship that will be part of the Tour de Nez bicycle classic on June 17-20.
With that backing, “we could get them every year and make it into a bigger event,” Councilman Dave Aiazzi said.
Other decisions:Special events: In tweaking its budget for this year and next, the council on Friday agreed to use the proceeds from a 1 percent franchise fee increase for June to maintain the city’s special events grants, which total about $225,000, rather than cut them in the new fiscal year. Council has made special events a top priority this year as a means of drawing tourism and to help cheer up local people in this recession.
Weight loss program: The council also supported member Dan Gustin’s request to spend $15,000 in its next budget to put 12 police officers and firefighters, if they agree, on a three-month program to lose weight in hopes they will stick with it. Their initial program would be overseen by a doctor, physical fitness experts and a nutritionist.Preventing any one of them from a heart attack would save the city $1 million in medical bills, Gustin said.
SAVE program: The council agreed to spend $6,000 to restore a planned cut in supplies for the police department’s SAVE volunteers over next year. These volunteers check on people’s homes, write handicapped parking tickets and check on graffiti, among other duties.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20090522/NEWS/90522046/1321/NEWS

Hunan Fireworks Enterprise to Be Listed on Canada’s Stock Market

Editor:Sharon Lee
Source:www.enghunan.gov.c
Good news came from the International Investment &Financing Summit for the Global Fireworks Industry held in Liuyang City on May 23 that Hunan Huasheng Firework Co., Ltd is expected to become listed on the venture board of Toronto Stock Exchange in Canada successfully with the name of " Liuyang Fireworks and Firecrackers". The company's shares are scheduled to be traded at Toronto Stock Exchange at the end of May or the beginning of June of this year. It then becomes the first Chinese fireworks enterprise that is listed on the overseas stock market and the first Hunan enterprise listed on the stock market of Canada.
　　Hunan Huasheng Firework Co., Ltd is a prestigious fireworks enterprise in Hunan's Liuyang City and the leading enterprise in China'sin China's fireworks industry. The company has begun its preparation for such a move since 2007. Its high-end products have been exported to 14 countries and regions throughout the world for a long time whose image of high-quality and internationalization has been recognized and attracted attention from the international financing circle. Many first-class investment banks, audit firms and law firms in Europe and America sent professionals to Liuyang tofor offer guiding guidance and helping the company finish all the related listing procedures required by Canadian securities supervision institutions in the mid May.
　　Huangsheng Fireworks has gained great supports from investors when it arrived in the international financing market for the first time. Chief of the Asian Division of Toronto Stock Exchange told the reporter that the average listed share price/ earnings ratio ( PE ratio) is no mare more than 10 in this stock exchange while the PE ratio of "Liuyang Fireworks and Firecrackers" reached 20. The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) now known publicly as the "TMX" is the largest stock exchange in Canada and the fifth largest in the world in terms of transaction volume.

http://english.rednet.cn/c/2009/05/25/1766308.htm

Frantz leaving Enid to work for Pennsylvania fireworks company

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
Steve Frantz has lived in Enid all of his life, which makes it harder for him to leave.Frantz has been named national sales manager for Zambelli Fireworks Co., the largest pyrotechnics business in North America. He and his wife Cathy, an Enid caterer, will move to Pennsylvania.The only other family member in recent years to move away is his cousin Curt, who is head physician at Yellowstone National Park.The Frantz family has been in Enid since the land run, when five sons of Henry Jackson Frantz came to Enid and operated businesses. Frantz was a successful hardware store owner in Wellington, Kan., and had two boys old enough to make the run. “He knew that after the run people would need building materials and lumber and he saw the opportunity,” Steve Frantz said.One son Frank enlisted in the Rough Riders, but two others made the run and claimed town lots to open businesses. Frantz Hardware Store was the first to open, then a harness shop next door was opened by another brother. East of town the family found land with a good clay quality and started a brick business, Enid Vitrified Brick Co. They later opened a lumber yard and Frantz Hotel. Five Frantz boys were in Enid since near 1893 through the end of the century, Steve Frantz said.After the Spanish-American War, Frank moved to Enid and was an Indian agent, then postmaster. As a former Rough Rider, he was a friend of President Theodore Roosevelt. When Roosevelt decided he wanted Oklahoma to enter the state as part of his presidential legacy, he asked Frank Frantz to become territorial governor with the aim of statehood. He accepted, then after statehood ran to be the state’s first governor, but was defeated by Democrat Charles Haskell, Steve Frantz said.During the Dust Bowl era, many of the families moved away from Enid to other parts of the United States and only Harry Frantz Sr., Steve’s grandfather, remained. He formed Harry Frantz Insur-ance and Real Estate Agency and his sons Harry Jr. and Bob soon joined him.In 1986, with the local economy sinking due to the poor times in the oil field, Steve Frantz sold his agency to Messer-Bowers Agency and worked for them for three years until joining Western Enter-prises Fireworks Manufactur-ing Co. in Enid. He eventually became vice president.“I found it interesting and different. It’s entertainment and there’s no insurance company telling you what you can do and what you can’t do,” he said.He also was on the board of American Pyrotechnics Association, serving as its president in 2007.His wife, Cathy, is an Enid caterer and is banquet manager at Oakwood Country Club. As owner of La Cuisine Catering, she is in charge of food for a number of different Enid organizations, churches and associations.As national sales manager for Zambelli Fireworks, Steve Frantz will manage all sales offices, support sales staff and hire additional sales staff. He also will be involved in design and marketing strategies.“I’m really excited to be working for the largest company in North America,” he said.Frantz said he is thankful to Jim Burnett and the staff at Western Enterprises for the experience and the ability to learn the business.“Both Cathy and I will miss our lifelong friends. It will be hard for us, but this is also an exciting adventure.”

http://www.enidnews.com/localnews/local_story_144233700.html

Thunderstorms, fireworks, and booms, oh my!

By Patricia Kent.
We have over a month to prepare for all the loud celebrations of the Fourth. This afternoon my “Nervous Nelly” dog reminded me we need to work with our dogs before the Fourth. As a spring thunderstorm blessed us with a nice rain, my dog dug a hole under the fence to try and escape her nemesis. Fortunately, I found her quickly and rescued her by letting her back in the house.
Suggestions on how to prepare your dog are well covered in the Pet Connection (See links below). Here is a quick summary. Be sure and check out their web site below for more information.
Do not coddle or comfort your dog when he experiences fear of loud noises. Instead, make a party of it, give favorite treats, make yourself more exciting than the storm.
Desensitize your dog by using recordings of thunderstorms, starting with low volumes and working up to more realistic sound levels.
Make sure dog is in safe place – indoor crate, basement – away from windows which the dog may try to use as an escape route.
If your dog is still out of control, contact your veterinarian for some calming medications. Be sure to plan ahead. You might want to try the medication before the actual day as some dogs react in different ways to the medication.
Or, as Plan B, go for a drive in the country with your best friend. The peace can be a pleasant change.

http://www.examiner.com/x-7987-Pocatello-Pets-Examiner~y2009m5d23-Thunderstorms-fireworks-and-booms-oh-my

Reno calls off July Fourth fireworks

By Susan Voyles.
The Reno City Council agreed Friday to cancel fireworks for the Fourth of July, bowing out to the much bigger Star-Spangled Sparks show in downtown Sparks, and use that money and other funds to support special events.
The Reno Aces, however, will still have Fourth of July fireworks after their 7 p.m. game at the downtown baseball stadium.
The council agreed that the $7,500 planned for fireworks would be better spent supporting the national hand cycling championship that will be part of the Tour de Nez bicycle classic on June 17-20.
With that backing, “we could get them every year and make it into a bigger event,” Councilman Dave Aiazzi said.
Other decisions:Special events: In tweaking its budget for this year and next, the council on Friday agreed to use the proceeds from a 1 percent franchise fee increase for June to maintain the city’s special events grants, which total about $225,000, rather than cut them in the new fiscal year. Council has made special events a top priority this year as a means of drawing tourism and to help cheer up local people in this recession.
Weight loss program: The council also supported member Dan Gustin’s request to spend $15,000 in its next budget to put 12 police officers and firefighters, if they agree, on a three-month program to lose weight in hopes they will stick with it. Their initial program would be overseen by a doctor, physical fitness experts and a nutritionist.Preventing any one of them from a heart attack would save the city $1 million in medical bills, Gustin said.
SAVE program: The council agreed to spend $6,000 to restore a planned cut in supplies for the police department’s SAVE volunteers over next year. These volunteers check on people’s homes, write handicapped parking tickets and check on graffiti, among other duties.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20090522/NEWS/90522046/1321/NEWS

Fireworks show to honor RBVFD

By JULIE ZEEB -DN Staff Writer
The Fourth of July Heritage Days committee will recognize its predecessors as it takes on the tradition of putting on the fireworks show as a part of this year's inaugural event to be held at the Tehama District Fairground. "The Fourth of July Heritage Days committee is honoring the Red Bluff Volunteer Fire Department for (its) unwavering service and commitment to bringing fireworks to Tehama County," said Chairwoman Tonya Redamonti. The recognition will take place at the beginning of the fireworks show, which will come at the end of a day-long celebration. "The Fourth of July committee is excited to continue the tradition started by the firefighters and bring to the county a fun-filled family event culminating in a spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks show," Redamonti said. Prior to this year, the Red Bluff Volunteer Fire Department had put on a free fireworks show for the community with proceeds from the Safe and Sane Fireworks stands paying for the event. Staffing issues and the ever-growing perception that firefighters should not be selling fireworks has caused the firefighters to opt out of putting on the show, Fire Chief Michael Bachmeyer said. Bachmeyer said firefighters had been putting on the fireworks show since the late 1950s. "The show was us as the two entities (city firefighters and volunteers) giving back to the community," Bachmeyer said. "Without the community, there'd be no need for the rest of us." When the fireworks show first began, firefighters were licensed pyrotechnicians who launched the show themselves. It was not until the 1990s that the fire department had to hire people to put on the show. With the number of reserve firefighters dropping, it has been tougher for the fire department to have the personnel available, making it harder to put on the show. This was particularly true in the summer of 2008, when massive wildfires left the department without the manpower to make the show happen. It was delayed until September. "Traditions are essential to our everyday life as members of the fire service and the community," Bachmeyer said. "Unfortunately, the community fireworks show is one that (firefighters) can no longer continue, however, its continuation is greatly anticipated and appreciated."


http://www.redbluffdailynews.com/news/ci_12428568

Lompoc’s city council cancels annual fireworks show

By Glenn Wallace/Staff Writer
There will be no rockets’ red glare this year for Lompoc on the Fourth of July.Citing an ongoing budget deficit, the City Council voted 3-2 last week to cancel the annual fireworks show the city usually organizes at Lompoc High School’s Huyck Stadium.The cancellation was for the next two years, and was expected to save the city a total of $21,000.The Fourth of July Spectacular, featuring hundreds of fireworks choreographed to patriotic music, regularly drew over 6,000 spectators, and was watched by countless other Lompoc residents watching from surrounding homes.“I’m literally shocked we may be losing this,” DeWees said prior to the vote, which took place during the second consecutive day of budgetary cuts last week.Councilman Bob Lingl said he made the motion to cut the Fourth of July funding as a way of closing the city’s $4.3 million two-year budget deficit.Contacted by phone this week, Lingl said as one of his campaign promises, he pledged to balance the budget without touching “necessities” such as police, fire and city infrastructure.
“This year we just don’t have money left over for things like the fireworks display,” he said.DeWees and Councilwoman Ann Ruhge voted against cutting funding for the event.After the vote, Ruhge said she could see the community rallying around the event, and trying to raise the show funds, but Parks and Recreation Director Dan McCaffrey cautioned that it was likely too late in the year to raise the money and finalize the contract with the pyrotechnics company.McCaffrey said the recreation division plans to cancel this year’s show, and to begin “hitting it hard” to ensure the city hosts a fireworks show next year.“Could the community raise the funds? We’d love to go that direction next year,” McCaffrey said.“We’re looking forward to this project re-emerging in our community,” he added.This will not be the first time a lack of funds caused Independence Day celebratory cutbacks in the city. The Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Lompoc’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, which featured a performance by the Lompoc Pops Orchestra and a children’s parade, was canceled in 2004, when grant funding ran out.Joe McCormick, commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 570, called the cut of the fireworks unfortunate but not unexpected.“With the budget being tight everywhere else, I’m not surprised,” McCormick said.McCormick, who serves on the Lompoc Veteran’s Council, said he hopes a contingency plan to celebrate Independence Day emerges.

http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2009/05/16/news/centralcoast/news04.txt

Manistee National Forest Festival scraps fireworks

Associated Press
MANISTEE, Mich. - The fireworks display as part of the annual Manistee National Forest Festival is being scrapped this year because organizers lack the funds amid the struggling economy. The News Advocate and the Ludington Daily News report the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce announced the decision Friday. The 73rd annual festival is scheduled to start July 1 and run for five days. The festival in Manistee, about 50 miles southwest of Traverse City, is funded by donations and sponsorships from businesses.

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/may/16/business/chi-ap-mi-manisteefireworks