With dry conditions and an extension today of Kosciusko County’s burn ban, the question of who can set off fireworks remains unclear to some.
According to Ed Rock, Emergency Management director for Kosciusko County, personal fireworks are not banned anywhere in the county but “strongly discouraged.”
Rock appeared before the Kosciusko County Commissioners this morning where they approved extending the county’s burn ban another two weeks.
Rock informed the commissioners that the current burn ban expired at noon today.
It was extended to July 17 when the commissioners will next meet.
According to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website, the use of fireworks is not covered under the “open burning” provisions of Section 307.1.1 of the Fire Code.
In other words, issuing a burn ban does not prohibit or restrict fireworks.
Mentone, as reported in today’s Times-Union, set up a fireworks ban in town limits citing a town ordinance.
According to the state’s homeland security website “Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5* prevents local ordinances from prohibiting the use of fireworks:
(A) between the hours of 5 p.m. and two hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9;
(B) between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4.”
The website said local fire departments and legislative bodies can appeal to voluntarily stop using fireworks.
Local ordinances can prohibit the use of fireworks on the other days of the year.
“It’s about the safety of our residents,” said Mentone Town Council President Tim Croy.
Croy contended that the county set a fireworks ban then backed off because those selling fireworks complained.
“We’re looking at safety,” said Croy. “Not if some people are complaining.”
Croy also took issue with the county and state trying to supercede a town ordnance.
“Why do we have ordinances if they are going to go against them?” asked Croy. “Then I might as well throw out my ordinance book.”
Croy said Mentone’s ordinance can ban fireworks in “severe meteorological conditions” and that it carries up to a $100 fine.
Mentone police will patrol for those setting off fireworks.
While the county may not have a fireworks ban, laws that protect against damage to others’ property from fireworks still carry heavy fines and possible jail time.
In terms of last week’s storms, David Rosenberry, director of Kosciusko County Dispatch, gave the commissioners statistics.
In the first hour of Friday’s storms, dispatch received 440 calls.
“Is that possible?” asked Commissioner Bob Conley.
Rosenberry said that since Kosciusko County serves as the rollover point for Marshall County calls, the call volume was increased.
“What does this tell us?” asked Conley.
“(Our staff) performed very well that day,” said Rosenberry.
Veterans Affairs Officer Rich Maron awarded the Veteran of the Month to Tom Hughes, Warsaw.
Hughes is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam and earned a Purple Heart.
He was joined by his wife, Nancy, and two daughters, Jenny and Becky.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
