KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Local fireworks enthusiasts have sure taken a hit the past month.
First the city announces that it will not be able to host the annual 4th of July fireworks display. Then last week the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly voted to limit the sale and use of fireworks around the borough.
KMXT’s Maggie Wall has more.
-((Fireworks Fizzle 6:58 "The double whammy…to January 1. SOC"))
The double-whammy to fireworks lovers began in Mid-April when Kodiak City Manager Aimee Kniaziowski announced at the April 14th regular city council meeting…
No fireworks this year.
The past two decades Mark and Diana Holt have supplied the brains and the legwork behind the city’s professionally choreographed fireworks displays.
Diana says as much as they love doing the fireworks, they just can’t keep up with all the mandates.
Too much work
So, that put the kibosh on the community’s 4th of July fireworks.
Anyone who has followed national current events in the slightest likely saw the end of the public fireworks coming. And judging from randomly asked Kodiak residents, the loss is understandable.
Vox pop of comments about Diana and Mark
The borough’s restriction of the sale and use of fireworks on the other hand, wasn’t so easy to see coming, nor was it as readily accepted as just the changing of the times.
Until the assembly acted last week, there was no fireworks laws on the borough books.
Borough Mayor Jerome Selby explained the rationale for the ordinance limiting fireworks at the April 22 regular assembly meeting.
Fireworks all night
During the course of the meeting it was made known that the biggest problems are from use of fireworks at the urban beaches-namely Mill Bay and Mission Beaches.
Jason Wagoner was one of those voicing support of year-round fireworks.
Fireworks no worse than other things
Mel Stephens said the use of fireworks in the borough is basically a non-issue:
Only have problem at 4th of July
Sharon Blakeslee also opposed the restriction, saying the borough can’t enforce it and it would punish those who use fireworks outside the populated areas.
Setnetters
Lorna Arndt testified that the measure didn’t go far enough-she wanted to see a total ban on fireworks.
Assembly members had varying reasons to support the ordinance.
First assembly member Louise Stutes…
Louise Stutes, Dave Kaplan, Judy Fulp, Jerrol Friend
Assembly member Jerrol Friend, who as acting mayor chaired the meeting.
Both Friend and assembly member Chris Lynch voted against the ordinance which allows the use of fireworks during just two periods: from June 15 to July 15, and December 26 to January 1.
I’m Maggie Wall.
