By Traci Chapman/Staff Writer

A survey designed to clear the smoke surrounding the debate on restricting personal firework use in the city was put on hold Tuesday by the City Council.

Council members voted to delay reviewing a proposed resident survey, due to the absence of two City Council members, Kathleen Moon and Joe Conner.

Some Council members have voiced support for restrictions on personal firework use in the city.

Mayor Jeff Landrith prepared a proposed survey to be mailed out in an upcoming utility bill. The survey is expected to be completed prior to a town hall meeting to discuss the issue. Here is Landrith’s list of proposed questions:

• Should fireworks be banned on personal residential property?
• Should fireworks be banned on commercial property?
• Should fireworks be banned on public streets?
• Should fireworks be banned in public parks?
• Do you support the popping of fireworks by non-residents in Mustang?
• Fireworks are currently allowed for seven days. Should this be decreased?
• Fireworks can be popped from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on all nights but the Fourth of July, which is extended until 11 p.m. Should these times be decreased?
• Should fines, compliance for not obeying existing fireworks laws, and/or littering be enforced on a first-time offense?

Landrith moved to delay the Council’s review of the draft survey.

“Kathleen (Moon) has voiced interest in this issue,” said Landrith.

Councilman Len Scott, the only member who voted against the delay, disagreed.

“I don’t see why this should have been delayed,” Scott said. “ If we can’t approve a survey, there’s a problem.”

If the Council approves a survey at its Sept. 18 Council meeting, it will be mailed to residents with the Oct. 5 utility statement. If the Council does not approve a survey then, it will not go out until the beginning of November, at the earliest.

Some residents are strongly divided on the issue of fireworks restrictions.

Mustang Fire Chief Carl Hickman and Police Chief Monte James issued reports to the City Council in August, both saying banning fireworks completely is the only option that “will make any significant difference in public safety.”

The city limited the time frame for discharging fireworks legally in 1996, but “since then our complaints have steadily increased,” James said.

Most of the complaints received are because of noise before or after the legal deadline, safety concerns and trash.
Banning fireworks would not solve all residents complaints because some individuals will still set off fireworks, legal or not, James said.

A total ban “allows easier enforcement because there would be no reason for someone to have fireworks in their possession,” he said.

Complaints rarely turn into citations, mainly because the police department does not have the work force to issue citations and respond to complaints, according to James’ report. There are just too many residents shooting fireworks and, to compound the issue, there are “hundreds of people that come into Mustang to discharge their fireworks all over town.”

Firework proponents have cited the increased revenue that comes into the city as a direct result of fireworks sales. School organizations also have a stake in money earned from fireworks.

In other business, the Council unanimously approved a final plat for the Lewis Park Addition. The addition is a seven-unit duplex to be built on 2.3 acres near West Griggs Way and North Czech Hall Road.

The Council voted to donate $1,000 from the city to the “Avenue of Flags” project sponsored by the American Legion.

Council members also gave the green light for a traffic signal upgrade and new signal for the intersection at state Highway 152 and Sara Road, the planned location of the new Lowe’s store.

Mustang Parks Director Justin Battles asked for approval of a “Silver Sneakers” program for seniors. The program enables seniors’ health-care providers to pay $3 per visit to the recreation center, up to $30 per month.

Battles said the program will “provide additional revenue as well as bringing in new members to the recreation center.”

Council members approved the request by a vote of 5-0.

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