Local News : Houston looks at fireworks changes - Frontiersman

Houston looks at fireworks changes

By Todd L. Disher
Frontiersman
Published on Monday, May 18, 2009 10:57 PM AKDT

HOUSTON — The city council is trying to make changes to the sale of fireworks without it blowing up in their faces.

At the June 11 meeting, the council members will consider two issues related to fireworks.

First, they will vote on ordinance changing the city’s firework code.

Second, they will look at whether to put on the October ballot a 2 percent sales tax increase on fireworks.

Before its May meeting on Thursday night, the council held a public hearing on an ordinance updating the city’s fireworks code.

If passed, the city would grant permits to sell fireworks on the basis of roughly one per 3,000 residents with a minimum of four at any one time. With the town’s population at just over 2,000 and four established firework vendors, this would essentially stop any new operations from moving in.

The other major change would require vendors to build more permanent structures that comply with the International Building Code as adopted by the state. The vendors would have 3 1/2 years to have their compliant structure built. By complying with the code, the structures would be safer and more fire resistant, said Deputy Mayor Lance Wilson.

Robert Hall, owner of Gorilla Fireworks, is supportive of the ordinance and said the changes are warranted with the city’s growth. As Houston matures, he said, so should the firework vendors.

“The new building will be a very expensive process, but limiting the permits will give us the stability to find the financing,” Hall said.

Besides cleaning up some of the language, other minor changes in the ordinance would increase the cost to apply for a permit and make it unlawful to discharge fireworks under the influence of alcohol or in an a way to intentionally damage a person or property.

“There hasn’t been a whole lot of comment about this,” said Mayor Roger Purcell. “I expected a whole lot more at the meeting.”

A vote on the ordinance should be on the council’s agenda for the June 11 meeting, both Purcell and Wilson said.

The council will also vote on putting a 2 percent sales tax increase on fireworks onto the October ballot for a popular vote. If passed, the additional tax would go to the public safety and the fire and police departments, Purcell said.

“The major vendors don’t have an issue with it,” Purcell said. “They (the vendors) don’t pay the taxes, and most of the taxes are from outside of the city. [...] It’s an appropriate place to look for revenue and not pass it onto the property owners.”

Hall said he is not excited about the prospect of increased taxes, but he will not oppose it either.

“I’m on the (Houston) fire department. I know what they need,” Hall said. “Houston doesn’t like taxes. They’re not going to tax us just for the fun of it. They’re going to vote for it because they need it.”

“There’s a public hearing on the 11th,” Wilson said, “and it should go up to vote that same night.”

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Copyright © 2010 Frontiersman

Comments

22 comment(s)

    I WONDER WHY wrote on May 31, 2009 8:20 AM:

    " Why is it even an issue on how many owners to city hall? Most of the customers aren't from Houston anyways? Doesn't make sense. Ironic this would come up and Mr Hall supports it after Jerry has passed and Mr Hall has Jerrys now. "

    Dont understand wrote on May 30, 2009 8:49 AM:

    " I wonder why you would even want a cap on how many owners there is? All the little town of Houston is doing is creating a Monopoly for Mr. Hall.

    He basically already has it and people don't realize it. Just by the way the zoning is set up in Houston. Firework zoning is different than commercial zoning.

    Our Firework prices are going to go through the roof now.. We are hosed "

    tomisinformed wrote on May 28, 2009 3:11 PM:

    " Some of you folks are crazy... 1 Mr. Hall does NOT own all 4 stands as Jerry Mignano's stands are still in litigation and being run by his ex wife,


    Hall i running it for her and is doing everythig he can to purchase it and he will own it before long. Jerrys ex is not capable. Plain and simple.

    Lets be honest here will ya. It is all smoke and mirrors to the public. "

    Mile 12 K.G.B. wrote on May 28, 2009 2:05 PM:

    " Fireworks are supposed to symbolize our freedom, not used as a firestarter, or noisy annoyance. Not all fireworks buyers fire them off in Houston. Do you think the troopers are going to come out and give a ticket to someone who is using fireworks illegally? People who steal cars, break into others homes, and sell drugs, are probably not too worried about getting caught using bottle rockets. Yes I admit, it's the user, not the fireworks that are to blame, we need more law enforcement, not more laws & taxes. "

    misinformed... wrote on May 28, 2009 8:08 AM:

    " Some of you folks are crazy... 1 Mr. Hall does NOT own all 4 stands as Jerry Mignano's stands are still in litigation and being run by his ex wife, 2 Bottle rockets that you speak of have been illegal for years in this state and I would gladly bet you a million that you won't find them at ANY stand in Alaska. So, lets start putting the blame on the users and not give big brother another reason to impose more laws. "

    jp wrote on May 28, 2009 7:46 AM:

    " i was there in 96, i remember it well, i lost stuff in the fire too.
    But to blame the fireworks, and not the users, is wrong.
    Cars kill more people than anything, should we make automobiles illegal?
    My whole point is; make people take responsibility for "their" actions, prosecute, and enforce the laws that already exist, don't just make more laws, that is the type of redundancy we do not need! "

    Mile 12 K.G.B. wrote on May 27, 2009 7:20 PM:

    " This is to JP-How would you like it if your property and house caught fire while you were sleeping, from some a hole firing bottle rockets next door? Yeah, I want to breath, smoke free air, that should always be legal! It's a good thing you don't make the laws, and make breathing illegal...how stupid! "

    jp wrote on May 27, 2009 11:01 AM:

    " easy to tax , look at his purchase orders incoming, and tax that. Would reduce the "good deals" that some get when they purchase lots of fireworks though.

    as for those who want fireworks made illegal, perhaps we need to make breathing illegal for you, would that make you feel good?
    all we do is make more and more laws to try and compensate for poor judgement and lack of personal responsibility.
    no more laws, just prosecute on the ones we have initiated now! "

    TOODANGFUNNY wrote on May 26, 2009 9:20 PM:

    " Bob Hall is the owner of all 4 stands. Of course he supports it. This is about of poorly of a written article that you can get. I am only assuming Bob Hall wrote it.

    I am curious how you impose the tax on a mostly cash business? Figure that one out and explain it to me. Sounds like a bunch of free tax money to me. "

    Mile 12 K.G.B. wrote on May 23, 2009 9:50 AM:

    " The sale of fireworks should be illegal, since there are alot of buyers that use them illegally. I didn't appreciate finding a dozen bottlerocket stems in my yard & up next to my house last year, my irresponsible, law breaking, un-neighborly neighbors were purposely firing them towards us. It would be difficult to prove they did it, unless I took a photo, or video tape. A bottlerocket will start a fire... if the person that started Millers Reach fire had no fireworks, they could have used a lighter, match, magnifying glass, rubbing two sticks together, etc. "

    Absolutely Upset wrote on May 21, 2009 3:26 PM:

    " The city of Houston is allowing a product to be sold that is illegal to use almost everywhere in the Anchorage and Mat Su Boroughs. Who do these people think they are? This is good Christian behavior? I challenge Sarah Palin to take the high moral road and make it illegal to sell and use fireworks anywhere in Alaska. It is way past time for Robert Hall and his ilk to continue getting away with their blantant disregard of other people's property and lives for the sake of profit. Go sell shoes, Robert Hall!! "

    Still Furious wrote on May 21, 2009 7:23 AM:

    " I went through the Miller's Reach fire and am still angry about what happened! Everybody knows that fire was deliberately started by fireworks. Yet Houston went on selling fireworks afterwards even through the rest of that dry season and since then. If the citizens of Houston don't care about breaking laws and hurting other people just so they can avoid paying their fair share of taxes, why don't they just sell drugs? They'd make a lot more money! I hope there is a fast to track to Hades for everybody in Houston especially Robert Hall. "

    L Wilson wrote on May 21, 2009 1:45 AM:

    " Please rest easier. There is no political intrigue. By law, taxes can't be increased in Houston unless the voters themselves say so. The council is just considering to ask the voters if we should levy an additional 2% only on fireworks alone to help with improvements to our fire and police service. We are trying to find a way to provide better fire service to the city, particularly in the vicinity of the fireworks stands, beyond 5 miles from the current station, and NOTcause an increase in property taxes. "

    and also wrote on May 21, 2009 1:21 AM:

    " Taxes should always prefer local. When you are in a cityand pay a sales tax you expect it to be kept local. What do Houston residents get from the Borough? No refuse station, no Borough parks, no Borough library, a high school paid for 76% by state revenue, and an ambulance that is not regularly staffed.
    If both Houston and the Borough want to charge a tax, the most local should rule. Same for in Palmer and Wasilla as well. Don't gripe at the local gov who has no other funding options - gripe at big brother who does. "

    to Amazed wrote on May 21, 2009 1:17 AM:

    " Why hide behind accusations, and just say what YOU feel? You don't give an opinion, only try to stir the pot. ALL elected assemblies locally (Mat-Su Borough Assemby, Wasilla CIty Council, Palmer City Council, Muni of Anchorage) have public hearing and votes the same day. ALL. That's to ensure people who take the time to voice their opinion can know the outcome same day, and politicians like yourself don't hide until the next meeting and hope that people don't show up and have a secret vote. "

    Fireworks wrote on May 20, 2009 10:54 PM:

    " are already illegal in Anchorage and all of Mat-Su except on private property in Houston. Houston must be pretty cozy with law enforcement everywhere. How come the fireworks laws aren't enforced. Does it take another Miller's Reach-type fire somewhere else to shut down the Houston Fireworks stands forever? "

    Amazed wrote on May 20, 2009 11:08 AM:

    " They want to hold the public hearing AND have the vote the SAME night. Why not look into the whole matter a bit closer? What is the hurry? Purcell isn't Obama and Houston isn"t Washington,D.C. . This whole thing leaves a lot of questions unanswered and more than a little political intrigue. The new sales tax they want on the ballot in October worries me. It is just a ploy by our politicians for an eventual permanent 4% tax on everything when the Borough wants at least a 3% new tax. I can"t afford a 7% sales tax. Can you? "

    Likes Competition wrote on May 20, 2009 10:47 AM:

    " It looks like the new rules will create a monopoly on the fireworks business in Houston benefiting primarily one man and limit future permits. Also the seasonal fireworks stands will be replaced by permanent structures conforming to International Building Code. Very impressive ...and expensive further hampering competition. Fireworks stands in the MSB are restricted to Houston and now Houston is creating a monopoly...very cozy. The extra 2% will soon be applied to everything as 4% will be needed to support the desired new first class city status. Wake up people !!!! Attend the Council Meeting and delay the vote. "

    nobody wrote on May 19, 2009 3:58 PM:

    " Although not a resident of houston, as a businessman Mr. Hall has certainly done a lot for houston. That can't be argued. However it sounds as if this will be the city of houston for the benefit of Bob Hall. Is this in the best interest of the city and the rest of the valley? "

    Wondering wrote on May 19, 2009 9:58 AM:

    " Hmmmmm, Houston mayor gets 375% pay raise, and now they want to put a 2% sales tax increase on the ballot. Coincidence?

    Just wondering. "

    Wasilla wrote on May 19, 2009 7:54 AM:

    " I commend Robert Hall for supporting restrictions and/or taxes. As an owner of a fireworks stand, he realizes they aren't trying to shut him down, but instead sees how both his business and his community can get better. I've not agreed with Robert on many things politically, but I've always found him to be dedicated to his community, and a generous business owner who gives back for the betterment of others. Thanks Robert. "

    sherry wrote on May 18, 2009 11:39 PM:

    " As far as the alcohol goes, it should be the same as driving. If your over a limit then charges may be brought against you. This will be a safe approach for sure and let those who are responsible adults enjoy their 4th of July. "

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