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Smithville fireworks lovers: City officials favor letting you shoot off fireworks for three days instead of one. And they want to allow fireworks sales around the clock as well as beyond the Fourth of July.

During the Smithville Board of Aldermen’s Tuesday, May 19, meeting, board members gave preliminary approval to two proposals that would ease Fourth of July fireworks restrictions.

Currently, city ordinance restricts the discharge of fireworks to between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 4 only. One of the proposals seeks to expand discharge to between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5.

Another city ordinance restricts fireworks sales to between 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. from June 20 through July 4. A proposal seeks to expand sales to 24 hours a day from June 20 through July 5. In addition, sales would be allowed between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2.

Those favoring the extension of shooting off fireworks thought the current rule was unnecessarily restrictive, while those against the change thought the proposal would do nothing but cause problems. The first reading of the proposal narrowly passed with a 4-3 vote.

Alderman Brian Fullmer said that the current rule causes inconveniences for families. For example, when the Fourth falls on a Sunday, people often want to celebrate the holiday on Saturday.

“There are times when everyone else in the country is celebrating, but we can’t,” he said. “I want to make it easier on people.”

Police Chief Ken Wilson was against the change.

“Have you seen this place on the Fourth? It’s crazy,” he said. “I do not want to see that extended to the third and the fifth.”

Aldermen Fullmer, Adam Naber and Jake Hild voted for the change. Aldermen Bob Foreman, Mark Krokstrom and Carol Shaffer voted against the change. Since it was a tie vote, mayor Carol Troutwine broke the tie with a “yes” vote.

Fireworks stand owners spoke in favor of extending sales, saying the change would up sales revenue as well as sales tax revenue that flows into the city’s budget. Around-the-clock sales, they said, could cut down on theft.

John Sweeney with J&J Fireworks said that when Smithville’s 10 p.m. sales cutoff hits on the Fourth, he packs up and heads to Platte City, where he continues selling.

“What’s happening is we’re taking the revenue that could be in Smithville and moving it somewhere else,” he said.

Troutwine put the sales extension proposal on the agenda at the request of Joe Vigliaturo with Crazy Joe’s Fireworks. Foreman said he didn’t feel comfortable catering to a request from one person.

“This isn’t being driven by the citizens of Smithville,” he said.

Troutwine responded that consideration of the request was an effort to work with local businesses and consider an opportunity to receive additional sales tax revenue.

The sales extension proposal passed on first reading with a 5-1 vote. Foreman cast the one dissenting vote.

make your voice heard

Want to have a say on whether the Smithville Board of Aldermen should expand fireworks sales and discharge dates and times? Here’s how:

- Contact aldermen before the proposals are up for final approval June 2. See contact information for elected officials at smithvillemo.org.
- Register on The Herald’s Web site, smithvilleherald.com, and then post your opinion at the bottom of this story.

OTHER ACTION

Also during the Board of Aldermen’s May 19 meeting:

- Mayor Carol Troutwine announced that the 180th Street bridge replacement project was completed. As a result, a road and bridge that had been closed for a few months reopened. The project finished on schedule and in time for Memorial Day weekend, which was good news for traffic heading toward Smithville Lake and Paradise Pointe Golf Course. A formal celebration at the site is planned for June 1.

- Troutwine explained a trash billing issue. While the city’s trash service agreement with Deffenbaugh Industries doesn’t allow for an “administrative fee,” residents have seen an 87-cent administrative fee on their monthly bills, she said. Deffenbaugh handles billing for the city. Troutwine said residents have two choices: Pay the fee and then receive a credit or subtract the fee from the bill.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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