From Deseret News archives:
Fireworks ban? Sparks fly over governor's declaration
Many Utah cities say guv's order came too late
Most local government officials said Wednesday that the governor's call on Tuesday came too late, and they simply don't have the time to enact such bans before the Pioneer Day holiday next week.
In Salt Lake County, Holladay and Draper issued full bans on Tuesday. Murray, West Jordan and South Salt Lake issued "voluntary" bans Wednesday, meaning police officers will ask residents not to use legal fireworks within city boundaries. But if residents refuse to comply, they cannot be cited.
"It's a little difficult when people have already purchased them and it's available for sale on every corner," said Jan Wells, Murray's chief of staff. She said most cities do not have the resources to inform residents of a ban before the holiday.
The only Utah County city to call for a ban is Provo, which passed a voluntary ban because of such short notice Tuesday. Eagle Mountain is in the process of formulating a fireworks ban, which city officials hope to implement before the holiday. Elk Ridge and Genola had put bans in place before the governor's call.
Huntsman issued the request just hours before many cities held their Tuesday night council meetings. In order to legally take any council-backed action, the government bodies would have to post notice of it 24 hours before their meetings.
Some city officials also said they could not justify banning fireworks after issuing business licenses to the hundreds of private fireworks vendors that set up shop in the state.
"We find the timing a little bit late," said Liane Stillman, Cottonwood Heights city manager. "We'll be supporters of this ban in a more timely fashion next year."
Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson's spokesman, Patrick Thronson, said Anderson had similar concerns about timing.
"After consulting with the fire chief, the mayor believes that the existing restrictions are sufficient to protect the public safety," Thronson said. "He also believes that a citywide ban instituted at this time when many vendors and businesses have purchased fireworks with the expectation that they would be able to sell them would have a negative economic impact and would not be fair."
Numerous cities and counties already prohibit fireworks in certain areas and are beefing up enforcement, including charging someone who starts a fire with fireworks for the cost of putting it out. Use of fireworks on state and public lands also is prohibited.
Summit County and Park City had already passed their own bans, effective shortly after the Fourth of July.
