By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Fireworks use will remain illegal in the Piedmont city limits, and the mayor said one city councilmember has been firing them off against the city ordinance.
A proposal to legalize fireworks in Piedmont however, was a dud Monday night, Aug. 28 at a regular monthly meeting of the council.
There were stories of a house burning down, of illegal use by an elected official, and complaints about the noise and the effects on those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder.
Mayor Kurt Mayabb said, “The consensus from our city staff is they would rather see the ordinance stay as is from the research they’ve done.”
He said there are residents against fireworks because of PTSD. He said he understands some people want to buy and use fireworks in the city. But he supported keeping the ban in place.
Councilmember Ron Cardwell said it is difficult for the police department to enforce illegal fireworks use in the city.
City councilman Jonathan Hisey brought a list of cities in Oklahoma that allow legal fireworks use, and he read it aloud at the meeting. Hisey questioned why fireworks should be illegal and said he acts responsibly with fireworks.
Hisey said he thinks enforcing fireworks laws is a waste of police work. He said fireworks could be sold as fundraisers for groups as well.
“What crime is committed by setting off a firework? How is that a criminal act” Hisey asked the council members.
Mayabb said, “Well if you want to talk about the elephant in the room let’s talk about the city councilmember who is not holding himself to a higher standard and he is the one shooting fireworks off and that’s what started this.”
Hisey responded, “You’re darn right.”
Mayabb said, “You catch the neighbor’s house on fire.
“It’s my responsibility. I owe up to it,” Hisey said.
However, Hisey decided he did not want to continue to fan the flames of debate and let the issue die down.
“I believe in personal responsibility,” Hisey said. He had a list of about 20 cities that allow fireworks in the state. He read the list.
He said Okarche allows fireworks on the Fourth of July, and he thought fireworks could be allowed in Piedmont with certain restrictions. But he decided to let the issue burn out.
“I don’t really feel like dying on this hill because it is pointless. So let’s move on,” Hisey said.
Mayabb made a motion to keep fireworks illegal in Piedmont, and the ordinance remains unchanged with a 3-2 vote.
Councilmembers Rob Jones and Ron Cardwell voted to keep the existing fireworks use illegal. Councilmembers Hisey and Byron Schlomach voted in favor of legal fireworks. It took a vote from Mayor Kurt Mayabb to break the tie.
Councilman Ryan Aller was not present at the Monday night meeting.
“I vote that we leave it as it is,” Mayabb said.
Piedmont has had past firework tragedy.
At a public display in 2007, two people were killed. Travis Dillard, 25, of Piedmont and his sister Shannon Wilson, 27, of Yukon died of injuries in the July accident near the football stadium.
