ROCKPORT, Maine — To its north, a fireworks ban. To its south, a fireworks ban. Thus, Rockport has emerged as a safe haven for the pyrotechnically inclined.
The town manager, Robert Peabody, doesn’t think this will change a thing.
Before Maine legalized fireworks this year, “if people wanted to fire them off they still did,” he said, laughing. “They just tried not to get caught and it was usually only on the Fourth of July. I don’t anticipate any negativity for the town being the one in between.”
Considering the issue further, he joked, “Maybe people will run over from Walmart, run into town, light them off here and then go back.”
Rockland’s new ordinance says fireworks “pose a risk of starting uncontrolled fires, injuring persons and damaging property.” Camden also cites safety concerns in its ban.
The Rockport Board of Selectmen considered talking about fireworks, but found no need, Peabody said.
“In looking at whether it should be an agenda item or not, neither our police chief or fire chief had issues with the law,” he said.
they had a flashing sign on memorial bridge yesterday reminding folks that fireworks are banned in Augusta.
Still there today.
In a good many towns the police chief and the fire chief agree with the selectman on the fireworks issue for one reason; that’s where their pay raises are decided. After the trouble starts the selectmen will be forced to ban them by the citizens. There is no way any credible fire chief believes that fireworks is a good thing.
So that is why most towns are not banning them only very Liberal areas are the ones banning them. These bans will do absolutely nothing people are going to do it anyways. All this does is cost taxpayers money for a ban that won’t be enforced. Do you honestly believe these police departments will worry about fireworks when their are more important calls to be taken. This is a bunch of Liberal Town Officials who think they know better than the people who pay their salaries.
I respect your opinion, but disagree. When Maine folks can buy them down the street a lot more will be going off. Kids will be hurt, fires will be started and old ladies sitting in their homes will be annoyed long after their bed times. I agree that cities have a bigger problem, rural areas where houses are not as close will not have as many complaints. We’ll both have to wait to see what happens this summer. I hope you are right and I’m wrong.
Of course, if we continue to have a dry year, we may all have “complaints” about fires.
Also, luckily Rockport has a local hospital. Try googling the term: “Fireworks injury photo.” Shame is, these are preventable.
I grew up in the South where we had fireworks every year. I can not recall a single fire caused by fireworks, and yes, we had very dry conditions. As far as injuries, back then, parents were responsible and didn’t let the kids set off the fireworks. If a child was allowed to set off fireworks, it was down under close adult supervision. Yes, people have been injured but most of the time time it is from using them inappropriately. People are injured by misuse of vehicles everyday, would you like to ban those as well?
Of course. Lots of things can injure. But most of us have experience with vehicles, power tools, etc. We are taught by responsible adults and we learn the limits. We use these day in and day out.
But what else gets used in a celebratory fashion, with often wild abandon, one day a year, and if not by kids who are drunk, by adults who are drunk/high, or too drunk/high to supervise the kids properly? Miniature–and sometimes not so miniature–explosives.
We need a revocable license to use vehicles on the public roads and must be tested. Promise me your fireworks shot off on your land will not spread and burn down my house? Will my taxes pay for your/your kid’s E. R. visit?
Like I wrote: preventable, but I bet we won’t…
Finally, a town showing some common sense and not being afraid of their own shadow.
Good deal, Super Petey will not like this, he is the protector of the land…. He has saved searsport, rockport will be next…
I’m wondering if thomaston has banned them yet…. I’d hate to think they would… I plan to shoot off a few hundred bucks worth… I cannot fathom why any town would ban fireworks.. if the idiots blow their hands off due to inexperience.. sucks to be them… I for one have had many years using fireworks in Texas. I think legalizing fireworks was great way to bring revenue to the state.. sadly I wish they spend this new income wisely..
Go to the Maine Fire Marshal’s website it gives a list of towns that has banned them. Last time I knew only about 20 had put in restrictions or bans. The majority of the nearly 500 Maine cities and towns did not.
It is much, much safer to blow your money at the casino’s !
What? Don’t they know we all need the government to protect us from ourselves? The end is near,the end is near!
I agree. We need newer bigger and better laws to protect us from the old outdated ones before we hurt ourselves worse than we already have. Before we know it we’ll be communists and be told what to do, when and how. Be sure your papers are in order and at the ready for inspection upon demand by the authorities.
“You ville hold de match dis vay to light de fuze while de firevork iz pointing dat vay…..”