Lacey led the way with a public vote to ban fireworks in 2007. Olympia tried a similar move that year, but the City Council failed to gain a majority to move the issue forward.
On July 12 this year, Olympia Mayor Doug Mah and Councilwoman Jeannine Roe asked their colleagues to ban fireworks in the capital city. They pointed to an increase in fireworks-related fires and other constituent concerns as the basis for a ban. They said that constituents had contacted them saying they were troubled by potential environmental hazards, litter problems, noise and nuisance complaints, health and public safety issues related to the discharge of fireworks at Fourth of July celebrations. Mah and Roe said fireworks simply don’t work in urban and suburban settings.
The council instructed the city attorney to draft an ordinance to ban fireworks modeled after the law already on the books in Lacey. It was a wise move, because it made the penalties and provisions of law consistent between the two adjoining jurisdictions.
In subsequent Olympia City Council meetings, some city residents testified in opposition to the ban and council discussion centered on whether a ballot measure would be advisory or binding. The resulting ballot proposition said the vote would “provide direction” to the council on a ban.
In their statement in the voters pamphlet in support of the ban, Mah and Roe wrote, “Independence Day is a time to celebrate our nation’s birth, freedom, and patriotism. But for many residents, it comes with ear-piercing noises that startle people and terrify pets, sparks and flames that start fires and explosions that cause injuries and increase post-traumatic stress.”
They said, “A ‘yes’ vote will improve our safety, health, property and quality of life. It is the smart choice and, happily, the patriotic one.”
Building their case in support of a ban, Mah and Roe said, “In 2010 the State Fire Marshal recorded 575 firework-related emergencies in Washington that caused $2.1 million in property loss, including 414 fires and 161 injuries. Statewide, fire and hospital officials reported 70 of the injuries were first- and second-degree burns and fewer than 55 were caused by illegal fireworks.”
Critics of the ban disagreed.
Residents Clint Brown and Tim Dean in their voter pamphlet statement urging a “no” vote, said, “Fireworks are as American as mom, apple pie and baseball. They are part of our culture.”
Brown and Dean wrote, “There is no evidence that legal fireworks harm the environment, create excessive litter or are a noise, safety or nuisance issue. ... Banning fireworks will result in illegal purchases; not prevent fireworks in Olympia. Fireworks will be purchased from organizations not regulated by the state and citizens will become criminals simply for celebrating freedom. Furthermore, the proposed ordinance will be impossible to enforce, adding expense to an already overburdened city budget.”
There is no question that the issue drew strong emotions on both sides. What was a bit of a surprise was the overwhelming support for the ban – 58 percent – and how determined voters were to be heard on the issue.
For example, more than 2,000 voters skipped the race between council candidates Jim Cooper and Brian Tomlinson, yet voted on the fireworks ban. That is a visible demonstration how seriously voters took the issue.
The sooner the Olympia City Council adopts an ordinance, the sooner the ban will go into effect.
Unfortunately, Olympia residents are going to have to suffer through another Fourth of July with the resulting injuries and fires before the ban takes effect. That’s because the ballot proposition calls for the ordinance to be in place a full year before it can take effect.
The year delay will provide city officials and firefighters with an opportunity to educate residents at next year on the Fourth of July celebrations. They will be able to warn residents that the ban will be in place for July 4, 2013.
Lacey officials followed a similar year-long delay and it worked well.
Now it’s up to Tumwater leaders to climb on the local bandwagon and get a ban in place, so that the firework regulations for all three communities are consistent.
