MOUNT VERNON — Ohio lawmakers recently passed legislation that allows Ohioans to set off fireworks during holidays effective July 1.
Though municipalities can decide if fireworks are outlawed in their limits.
At a recent Mansfield City Council meeting, the body decided against allowing their citizens to fire off the red, white and blue explosive devices into the air.
One Knox Pages reader asked us: What’s Mount Vernon’s and other municipalities in Knox County’s position on fireworks following the new law?
Here’s what we found.
Mount Vernon
Before the law was passed, Mount Vernon council had not passed any legislation nor had any legislation pending on the issue allowing or disallowing fireworks to be fired by citizens in Mount Vernon, Assistant to the mayor Todd Hill said, prior to the new law going into effect.
“Nothing has changed as far as city code on this issue,” he said. “I haven’t heard any discussions of the issue.”
If fireworks were to be fired in Mount Vernon, an exhibitors licenses would be needed. Mount Vernon’s firework laws are pulled directly from Ohio Revised Code, Hall added.
Now starting June 1, Mount Vernon citizens will be allowed to set off fireworks under specific holidays like New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo and July 3, 4 and 5.
Legislation to curtail Ohio’s new law hasn’t been introduced at Mount Vernon City Council, though there’s preliminary discussions if council should touch the law, Law Director Rob Broeren said.
Gambier
Gambier council did not put any restrictions on fireworks, Gambier Village Administrator R.C. Wise said.
Wise doesn’t see setting off fireworks as a safety hazard for citizens among a population of roughly 2,200 made up largely of Kenyon College students when the school is in session.
Centerburg
“We’re leaving it up the sheriff’s department,” Centerburg Mayor Greg Sands said.
Centerburg had its fireworks celebration June 18, close to Memorial Park and approved by Fire Chief Mark McCain.
Brinkhaven
Brinkhaven’s council hasn’t banned fireworks in its village limits, Village councilwoman Trisha Moreland said. The village is not setting fireworks off during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Fredericktown
Fredericktown residents will be allowed to set off fireworks, Fredericktown Chief of Police Tracey Myers said. Fredericktown will light fireworks at 10 p.m. on July 4 near at the Community Park.
Attempts to reach Danville and Martinsburg village officials were unsuccessful.
