By David Fleet

Editor

Goodrich-On Monday night, the village council voted 5-0 to OK an ordinance which regulates the usage of consumer fireworks between the overnight hours of 1-8 a.m. on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, as well as the day before and the day after each of these holidays.

“We have received a few phone calls from residents regarding discharging fireworks in the village on the streets and sidewalks,” said Jakki Sidge, village administrator.

“We’ve also had calls regarding health concerns especially pets when fireworks are ignited. There’s a time and place for such activity, as a result we’ve followed Atlas Township’s ordinance regarding fireworks.”

In 2011, the local fireworks issue became louder after state lawmakers opened up sales and usage in Michigan. The lawmakers’ intent was to keep a few tax dollars from going to border states who sold such fireworks. The legislation expanded the types of fireworks that could be ignited legally in the state including bottle rockets, aerial cakes, Roman candles, and firecrackers. All are sold legally after lawmakers and Snyder erased the ban.

Violation is a misdemeanor and punishable by a $500 fine plus the costs of prosecution and/or 90 days in jail.

If a police officer determines that a violation of the ordinance has occurred the officer may seize the fireworks as evidence of the violation.