Petaluma ban on fireworks possible

Petaluma voters in November may have a chance to outlaw fireworks, a decision that would make it the seventh city in Sonoma County to ban the patriotic pyrotechnics.

Mayor Pam Torliatt said on Monday she wants to place a fireworks ban on the Nov. 4 ballot. If approved by voters, it would leave Cloverdale and Rohnert Park as the only places to legally sell or use home fireworks.

Although there were no reports of damage or injuries in Petaluma this Fourth of July, Torliatt and other council members said they were bombarded by complaints about noise, debris and reckless behavior in the tinder-dry area.

"I think at this point in time … it becomes an issue," Torliatt said. "And it has been over the years."

The move was immediately criticized by charities that rely on fireworks for fund-raising.

Dick Sharke, executive director of McDowell Drug Task Force, which had two of the city's 18 fireworks stands this year, said officials should instead go after people who use illegal fireworks like sky-rockets.

He predicted nonprofits would appear en masse at a hearing in two weeks, much like they did three years ago when fire Chief Chris Albertson proposed a ban.

Punishing everyone for the acts of a few people is wrong, Sharke said.

"I don't like this idea," he said. "I guarantee we'll have people there."

A spokesman for the state's largest fireworks wholesaler, American Promotional Events, declined to comment. The industry has been active in defeating bans statewide.

Currently, fireworks are outlawed in seven cities and the unincorporated area of Sonoma County. Last month, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called on Californians to boycott home fireworks as smoke from hundreds of lightning-sparked wildfires in Northern California clouded the skies, although he stopped short of calling for a statewide ban.

Most of the Petaluma council appeared to support some sort of ban.

Councilman David Rabbitt said fireworks were a "ticking time bomb" that would someday ignite the city's western hillsides. Councilwoman Karen Nau said people come from other cities to light fireworks in Petaluma.

Councilman Mike O'Brien said nonprofits need to look for other sources of funding.

Rabbitt and O'Brien suggested the council ban fireworks without a vote.

"The problem is illegal fireworks mask legal fireworks," O'Brien said.

To qualify for the ballot, the City Council must agree on wording and other details by early August.

Torliatt set a first hearing for July 21. The council could return Aug. 4 for a final decision.

Putting the item on the ballot would cost the city $7,000 to $14,000, she said.

"It's time for the public to weigh in so we can have a decision by a majority of the voters," Torliatt said.

Councilwoman Samantha Freitas said she opposed spending the money in light of the city's budget crunch. She said she would like to hear from all sides.

"Any additional costs to the city is something that's on my mind," Freitas said.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 762-7297 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com.