Limit sought on fireworks use.

Byline: Jack Moran The Register-Guard

SPRINGFIELD - City Councilor Joe Pishioneri apparently has the holidays on his mind.

The council's Ward 6 representative last week proposed a pair of holiday-themed ordinances. One would allow nonprofit groups to sell Christmas trees and Fourth of July fireworks without paying a city fee. The other would outlaw the personal use of fireworks except for three-week periods surrounding several "nationally recognized holidays."

Pishioneri said his plan to limit fireworks use to between two weeks before to one week after holidays - including Independence Day, New Year's Day and others - is designed to encourage local residents to save their celebrations for specific occasions.

Pishioneri said the proposed restriction should allow fireworks users plenty of time to have their fun, and ensure other Springfield residents that Piccolo Petes and other noisemakers should not be seen or heard in their neighborhoods on random evenings.

"Three weeks is a plenty long window to have fun, and it's short enough to where people won't be driven nuts," said Pishioneri, who wants city staff members to establish the list of holidays around which fireworks use would be allowed.

State law allows local governments to enact their own rules regarding the sale and personal use of fireworks. Springfield residents can shoot them off any time of year.

Pishioneri said he has spoken with several city residents who want officials to consider restrictions. He ran his plan past others on the City Council and said "the general consensus" was to support it.

Councilors Christine Lundberg, Dave Ralston and John Woodrow all said earlier this summer that they would be open to new rules limiting the periods in which fireworks use is allowed. The discussion was initiated by a city resident who complained to the council that the use of fireworks - both legal and illegal - has become excessive in Springfield.

City Attorney Joe Leahy said that while Pishioneri's fireworks proposal is allowed under state law, he is not ready to offer an opinion on whether nonprofit groups can legally be exempted from city licensing fees charged whenever a private or public organization intends to sell Christmas trees or fireworks.

Pishioneri wants the city to waive the fees for nonprofit groups because he said the seasonal sales serve as many agencies' primary fundraisers.

Groups that sell fireworks in Springfield are subject to a $325 city fee that covers the cost of a fire marshal inspection, city Finance Director Bob Duey said. The Christmas tree sales license is $6 per year.

Under Pishioneri's plan, private outfits would continue to pay the fees. "I just don't think the nonprofits should have to compete with the big companies," he said.

Councilor Anne Ballew, who favors Pishioneri's idea to restrict fireworks use, does not agree that nonprofit organizations should be given a free ride when they sell Christmas trees and fireworks.

"It would be a gift of public funds to nonprofits," Ballew said. "I think they should be treated the same as anyone else."