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Monday, June 30, 1997
Judge voids ban on aerial fireworks in Galveston
County
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - The skies over Galveston County will
glitter a little more brightly this July Fourth thanks to a judge's
ruling against a ban on aerial fireworks.
State District Judge Norma Venso ruled Friday that Galveston
County commissioners overstepped their regulatory powers by imposing
a ban on the use of aerial fireworks when drought conditions do
not prevail in the county.
Commissioners adopted the ban June 12, three days before the
deadline for enacting a ban that would cover the Independence
Day holiday. The ban was scheduled to last from June 15 through
July 5.
But after fireworks wholesalers sought a restraining order
in her court, the judge barred the county from enforcing the ban.
Commissioners wanted to prevent use of aerial fireworks, particularly
on the Bolivar Peninsula, where volunteer firefighters have been
overwhelmed by reports of grass fires during Independence Day
celebrations. Beachfront homeowners also have complained that
the fireworks threaten their homes.
Counties are allowed by state law to regulate fireworks only
under severe drought conditions.
The commissioners had maintained that some parts of the county
have not received as much rain as others and the ban was justified
by low rainfall.
Had it remained in force, the ban would not have prohibited
sale or possession of aerial fireworks - just their use. Send
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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