Mayor Heartwell wants fireworks law changed | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) -- Mayor George Heartwell is not mincing words about the state's fireworks law.

"There's nothing that a local official could do to restrict the use," says the mayor.  "It requires governor needing an executive order, and the governor's chosen not to do that." 

Heartwell says the law was designed to raise sales tax revenue, but it is causing problems for municipalities who have to deal with the damaging costs of the law.

"The cost of addressing the fires in the community, or sending a rescue squad when a child blows off their fingers from a fire work is a local cost," says Heartwell.  "We don't get the tax revenue that the state gets."

WZZM 13 News contacted Gov. Snyder's office Tuesday to find out if he was considering a ban on fireworks use during dry conditions.  Spokeswoman Sara Wurfel says the governor has consulted with leaders at the Department of Naturral Resources, who are not recommending a ban on fires or fireworks.  Wurfel says the department is monitoring dry conditions across the state.  DNR leaders are urging "an abundance of caution" to anyone planning to use fireworks during the current dry weather.

Firefighters say there is no good place to light fireworks this weekend.  Dry conditions are a huge fire risk.

"Bottle rockets or mortars they're going up in the air and going distances you could not cover with that type of precaution," says Deputy Chief Jerry Salatka with Grand Rapids Fire Department.  "You end up with fires remote from where you are."

With a tight budget, firefighters will not have extra crews to respond this Fourth of July holiday. They're asking the public to watch where the sparks go -- especially if they disappear over a neighbor's home.

"Knock on your neighbors door and say, 'We were lighting fireworks and one landed on your roof'," says Salatka.  "'We just want to make sure everything is okay, then help water down roof with garden hose'."