Smithville Resident Asking City To Address Fireworks

A Smithville man has asked the city to put a stop to or limit the firing of fireworks within city limits.

John Daniels said the noise keeps him awake and scares his dog, especially around the 4th of July holiday.

“I just think that the city ought to look at something,” Daniels said. “The places I’ve lived in the past, you could not do that in the city. You want to go out in the country at some farm and do it? That’s your business, but you could not do it in the city.”

Smithville does not have an ordinance restricting fireworks within city limits. An ordinance does make it unlawful to shoot fireworks within the Central Business District.

Daniels expressed his concerns during Monday night’s board of mayor and aldermen meeting. He said city officials should strongly consider making changes to the municipal code.

“I don’t think it’s right, and I’m just going to state my opinion and you can take it for what it’s worth,” Daniels said.  “I’ve talked to other people who have dog problems and they’re not up here because they probably don’t have the nerve to do it, but I do. “I’m not giving you a hard time, I’m just here to ask you to look at this and see if there’s something that can be done to fix this.”

Mayor Josh Miller said the board will address the complaint during a future workshop.

“When Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday or Thursday, and the jamboree starts on Friday or Saturday, usually the holiday extends a little bit,” Miller said. “I don’t think you can tell people they can’t shoot fireworks, but I do think it needs to be confined to a certain time.”

Officials have not announced a date for the future workshop.