Cross posted from Alamo Fireworks.com: http://www.alamofireworks.com/blog/legal/medina-county-fireworks-ban-debacle/

Medina County Fireworks Ban Debacle

In another indication that Texas fireworks laws need to be fixed, Medina County (just west of San Antonio) managed to close fireworks stands, then allow them to open, then close them again.

To explain, the curent law allows counties to declare a “disaster” around dryness and prohibit combustibles for up to 60 hours with regards to fireworks. Of course, fireworks “combust,” so they’re considered in this category. Any extension of this power must be done by the governor. (Sadly, this law was put in at the suggestion of a fireworks industry lobbyist in 2006!)

Medina declared their disaster on Friday, December the 19th. The 60 hours expired on Sunday afternoon. At that point, the county told fireworks sellers they could open their stores/stands. The caveat was that the paperwork was in the governor’s office and hadn’t been approved yet.

Three more days pass of back and forth between Medina and the governor’s office. Medina hadn’t submitted the correct paperwork and the governor’s staff was a skeleton crew. Late Wednesday afternoon, the governor’s office extended the ban and fireworks were prohibited for the season.

We’re working to get our laws fixed this Spring especially as counties here continue to demonstrate their inability to deal with fireworks in a responsible and timely manner. We need a "recipe" dealing with droughts that takes all subjectivity out of the hands of county judges that no nothing about fireworks and fire danger.

Alamo Fireworks Sues County for Disaster Relief

Alamo Fireworks has sued Bexar County for disaster relief for the victims of the local drought that has prompted banning of fireworks:

http://www.alamofireworks.com/blog/legal/fireworks-sellers-sue-bexar-county-for-disaster-relief/

Guadalupe County Renegs on Deal with Fireworks Vendors

Guadalupe County went back on a previously agreed deal with fireworks vendors that would allow safe sale and use of personal fireworks:

http://www.alamofireworks.com/blog/locations/guadalupe-county-reneges-on-deal-with-fireworks-sellers/

A local news report about the issue:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/36278389.html

Fireworks Safety Plan Presented to Bexar County

This morning, a number of vendors met with Bexar County officials to present a comprehensive fireworks safety plan for this season.

A release explaining this effort can be found here:

http://www.alamofireworks.com/blog/fireworks-ban/fireworks-safety-plan-presented-to-bexar-county/

We are trying to provide solutions because people will still get fireworks somewhere, or worse seek an alternative to fireworks such as the much documented random gun fire that lands where ever the wind takes it. We understand the conditions South Texas is facing as well as anyone and that is why we are committed to providing a safe alternative.

New Year’s Eve & Fall 2008 Fireworks Season

We need your help to keep fireworks legal in the state of Texas!

With law changes in 2006, counties now have the power to declare a disaster and close fireworks stores or stands at any time and for any reason. Counties have used dry conditions as a reason to take extreme measures rather than cooperate with the fireworks vendors.

Fireworks are under the biggest threat in several counties in South Texas for this New Year’s Eve selling season (December 20th-January 1st). These counties routinely say they receive many more calls against fireworks than in favor. We need your help to change this and encourage the counties to work with vendors to develop solutions that enable people to enjoy their holidays with traditional fireworks but do so in a safe manner.

In Spring 2008, the San Antonio area continued in drought conditions creating high fire danger. Comal (encompassing New Braunfels & Bulverde), Guadalupe (Seguin, TX) and Medina (Hondo, Castroville, Devine) counties enacted last-minute total prohibitions on fireworks sales and use.

Officials in Bexar (San Antonio) took a progressive stance and cooperated with fireworks vendors to develop a plan that resulted in the number of fires decreasing by 98%. This plan allowed sales but required fireworks to be limited to 10 Shooter’s Sites provided by fireworks vendors.

It was an unquestionable success! Sadly, Bexar and other counties are under siege again. We need your help!

What You Should Do: Make 6 Phone Calls

Call and write the county officials in the counties under threat as soon as possible. Let them know you vote and shop in their county. You think their county needs to work with fireworks vendors to develop plans that allow fireworks sales and usage but do so in a way to minimize fire danger. You’ll likely talk to an aide or receptionist, but don’t worry as they’ll take your information (name and number) and your position gets passed onto the elected official.

Whom to Contact

1. Nelson W. Wolff, Bexar County Judge (chief county executive)
Phone Number: (210) 335-2626, FAX Number: (210) 335-2926

2. Commissioner Sergio `Chico´ Rodriguez, Precinct 1 Bexar County
Phone Number: (210) 335-2611, FAX Number: (210) 335-2215

3. Commissioner Tommy Adkisson, Precinct 4 Bexar County
Phone Number: (210) 335-2614, Fax to: (210) 335-2644

4. Danny Scheel, Comal County Judge (New Braunfels/Bulverde/Spring Branch/Canyon Lake):
Phone: 830-221-1105, Fax: 830-608-2026

5. Mike Wiggins, Guadalupe County Judge (Seguin, New Braunfels)
Phone 830.303.8857, press 5, FAX (830) 303-4064

6. Jim Barden, Medina County Judge (Hondo, Castroville, Devine, Lytle)
Phone 830 741-6020, Fax: 830 741-6025