Iolans are one step closer to legally shooting off fireworks within city limits.
For decades Iola has prohibited fireworks, although city council members discussed Monday lifting the ban.
They directed City Attorney Chuck Apt to visit with Donald Leapheart and Jared Warner, the city’s fire and police chiefs, respectively, about setting up rules permitting the sale and discharge of fireworks.
Council members noted Monday that Iola is the only such community in the area that bans fireworks, and despite the ban, violators rarely are ticketed.
Several items would need to be spelled out, including whether a fireworks curfew should be instituted; whether it would be possible to restrict larger fireworks, such as artillery shells in residential neighborhoods; and whether the ban could be reinstituted if dry weather was an issue.
Warner noted despite the ban, Iolans still shoot off fireworks in the city, prompting dozens of calls to the police department in the days leading up to July 4.
Councilman Ken Rowe noted by putting in place well-regulated rules, the ban could be lifted without “a tremendous amount of additional risk.
“We need to let people know that if it goes well, then they can continue to shoot off fireworks in future years,” Rowe said.
Councilman Joel Wicoff — the only council member who spoke out against relaxing the ban — said allowing fireworks would lead to injuries among children.
“It’s a simple fact that if we make these legal, we’re going to have children burned who wouldn’t have been burned last year,” Wicoff said.
Councilman Kendall Callahan said when he moved to Iola 18 years ago, it was the first community he lived in that residents were not allowed to celebrate Independence Day. For a community concerned about growth, allowing fireworks sales is a natural way to increase local revenue.
Iolan Becky Nilges responded Iolans have always been allowed to celebrate Independence Day; only fireworks have been banned.
Nilges said she was opposed to fireworks in Iola, and if they were allowed, the city should stress the importance of cleanup afterward.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever been in Chanute on July 5, but it’s as trashy as can be,” Nilges said.
