The worst thing about the state's fireworks law is that it overrode all local ordinances on things like nuisances and noise. Neighboroods let local officials know they werre upset with the disturbance of their peace and quiet, and local officials let the state know. But now that some corrective action might be taken, the author of the law isn't happy:
But Sen. Tom Weatherwax, R-Logansport, said he will work to kill the proposal.
"The state would become a patch quilt of rules, with some communities having no shooting and others limited shooting," said Weatherwax, who authored the current law. "This would probably take away from what we tried to do, which was keep a statewide, uniform approach to fireworks."
What's wrong with a "patch quilt of rules"? Why should Fort Wayne be like Warsaw? Why should Wabash have the same fireworks rules as Indianapolis? This is the kind of thinking that has made home rule such a tough fight in Indiana.
Comments
Why can't there be one uniform rule for the state? Fireworks are noisy, a fire hazard and dangerous no matter what city or town you live in.
In rural areas, I can see the point of allowing fireworks (especially those huge rockets), but here in the city...NO WAY.
The city has GOT to be able to ENFORCE the law, though...no exceptions.
Having a neophyte "pyrotecnic wannabe" setting off atom bomb sized charges while half-lit themselves is a portent to injury as well as property damage.
But then, stupidity doesn't play by THOSE rules.
B.G.
Passing a law like last years fireworks law, gives you a little insight as to the political thinking process. There is none. If you can't trust lawmakers to use common sense on this, what do you suppose they do on scores of other issues?
If we keep re-electing the same old morons we're going to get the same old results...