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.