BEATRICE – Opponents of fireworks are urging Beatrice City officials to return to the city’s former sales and use period of July 1st to the 4th or ban them altogether.


The city council, during a work session, discussed this year’s expansion of the fireworks period to June 28th to July 4th. Discharge of fireworks extended through July 5th, when heavy rain took away much of the 4th.  Rita Hydo was one of those who is not a fan of fireworks.


"The sad thing about fireworks, is they don't just stay in your yard.....the sound travels. So every neighbor that is around you for a couple, three blocks, or even more.....gets to enjoy your support of our country. And I am sure everybody shooting them off are huge patriots, as we all are. Only I do it by waving a flag, having a picnic, watching old movies.....I don't bother my neighbors."


City councilmen seemed to agree that having fireworks through July 5th wasn’t a good move. Councilman Duane Ruh saying, "The calls I got....most of them said end it on the Fourth...not having them on the fifth. They didn't talk too much about the extended time, but not having them on the fifth."


The expanded period was adopted this past year to assist sellers of fireworks…with several stands raising money for good causes.
Councilman Dave Eskra, who has been involved in fireworks sales, would like to make sure that part of a weekend is involved in the sales and use period. He’d like to establish a six-day sales and use period.


"If you go to a six-day deal, and you look at the calendars as they roll through the next ten years....you either get a Friday and a Sunday....or a Saturday and a Sunday....or a Friday and a Saturday. Six days is always going to give you two, if not all three of the weekend days. My recommendation would just be, go to six...it gives those people who didn't want seven, at least some thought. If you have pets and you were a night worker, it's a nuisance....but it's something you've had to learn to live with. I've had pets and it's been that same way."


State law allows fireworks sales and use from June 25th to July 4th…a 10-day period. Councilman Ted Fairbanks said most of the feedback he got was not supportive of fireworks. "My personal preference is it would be on the Fourth of July and it would be six to eight p.m. But I understand my personal preference would not be everybody's personal preference."


Fairbanks said he would recommend a two-to-three-day use period for fireworks. Councilman Terry Doyle said it surprised him that most people in his neighborhood avoided after-hours discharge of fireworks…a comment that drew laughs from some residents at the council meeting who had the opposite experience.


No decision from the city council, but Mayor Bob Morgan anticipates some changes being proposed.