Firework stands herald Fourth
Deirdre Newman
The harbingers of the Fourth of July have arrived in the shape of
roadside fireworks stands.
But even before they open for business, some residents have
adamantly opposed fireworks being sold in the city. Costa Mesa is one
of only five cities in the county that still allows the sale of
fireworks.
“They’re dangerous, they cause many injuries and children, and
animals are scared [of them] and run away,” said Anne
Hogan-Shereshevsky, who said she has been on a crusade to eliminate
fireworks for the past 15 years.
The state allows cities to sell fireworks unless officials decide
otherwise. In 1990, a referendum on selling fireworks was put on the
ballot, but residents were evenly divided. The measure was purely
advisory, and the City Council decided not to take any action because
the vote was so close.
The city only allows the sale of safe-and-sane fireworks during a
three-day window, from July 1 to 4. Fireworks sales benefit the
nonprofit groups that sell them, such as the Lions Club and the
Estancia High School baseball team.
City Councilman Mike Scheafer, who is involved with the Lions
Club, said the club got involved with fireworks sales three years ago
when its longtime fund-raiser, the Fish Fry, was put on ice over a
lawsuit.
“We needed a project to raise funds, and that was an easy one for
us to do,” Scheafer said.
Scheafer said the club usually took in about $6,000 a year from
the sales, but that amount was split with whatever other group was
running the booth with the club. Even though the Fish Fry is back,
the Lions Club is still selling fireworks. This year, the club is
sharing a fireworks stand at 17th Street and Newport Boulevard with
the Estancia baseball team.
Fire Chief Jim Ellis recommends using common sense and caution
when setting off fireworks.
“Parents should be setting them off, not children,” Ellis said.
On July 4, the fire crews from each station will be patrolling
their areas. They will be on the lookout for illegal fireworks and
will also be visiting block parties to create a higher profile during
the holiday, Ellis said.
Fire personnel will be collecting data for the county on the
number of fireworks-related activities in the city.
All the latest on Orange County from Orange County.
Get our free TimesOC newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Daily Pilot.