Thursday, July 26, 2012
Is the danger worth the revenue? Petitioners against Michigan's new fireworks laws say no.
Thousands in Michigan are making noise this summer about the state's decision to loosen fireworks laws. A petition created on SignOn.org is asking Michigan residents to join those already in support of repealing the Fireworks Safety Act of 2011, which was designed to increase revenue to the state and encourage citizens to buy consumer fireworks in Michigan rather than in neighboring states. Petition creator Brad Lang, a West Bloomfield resident, is among them. "The result has been a drastic increase in the amount and violence of private fireworks displays all over the state of Michigan, thereby endangering people, pets and property. It is not worth the additional revenue," Lang wrote in a letter to members of the Michigan civic action …
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The change in fireworks law brings increased sales at others' expense–including a lofty vet bill for a Dearborn resident's dog who had a seizure caused by the explosions.
The Fourth of July celebration this year in Dearborn took on a much louder and more frequent barrage of pyro-display in our neighborhood than last year. I suspect that by now most everyone is aware that there was a change in the state law that eased the legality of fireworks sales in time for the Independence Day reverie. This decision likely had multiple variables that were taken into consideration, but the one that bubbles to the surface as the most obvious is that the state would see a gain in tax revenue from the sales. The gain in revenue didn't come without some expense. In our home, it was a costly one for our wallet and our nerves. We have a rescued chihuahua who is typically a good-natured and happy little girl. She is not …
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Everywhere in southeast Michigan Wednesday night, fireworks, smoke and lots of pops and booms filled the air. Folks were amused and/or annoyed with the results of the new law. What did you think?
State law now allows more types of fireworks to be sold and ignited in Michigan, but the actual booms, pops, sparks and flashes had people reacting Wednesday night. Some were thrilled with the spectacle. Others were miffed with the noise and smoke. What did you think? Tell us in comments or in the poll.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra blew audiences away Fourth of July week with the annual performance of music, fireworks and cannon fire.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra gave its Dearborn audience more bang for the buck Tuesday night when it performed a patriotic set during The Salute to America Concert at Greenfield Village that was accompanied by actual cannon fire. Tuesday's show was one of four in the annual series put on by the DSO and The Henry Ford. During the performance, cannon blasts punctuated the most pronounced parts of the Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with a fireworks show in the background. Heather Hart, the assistant orchestra personnel manager of the DSO, directed the cannon blasts this year, ensuring that cannons were ready to go and fired on time. According to Hart, cannons are placed in two locations to give the sense of two opposing forces in a battle. She…
42.3004
-83.23377
Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
20900 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI
/articles/dso-s-salute-to-america-brings-battle-to-life-with-real-cannons
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/locations/7371381
Creating some sparks this Fourth of July? Here's a look at everything you need to know before lighting off that bottle rocket.
Will your Fourth of July be a quiet evening of barbecuing and chatting with family, or one filled with the oohs and ahhs of a fireworks show? If your answer was the latter, here's what you need to know to have a safe, legal, fireworks-filled Fourth of July. Know the Law: Michigan law now allows purchase and use of consumer fireworks, but Dearborn ordinance laws on noise and nuisances also apply. Learn more about the state and local laws on Dearborn Patch. Where to Buy Them: Dearborn has four locations selling fireworks, and Dearborn Heights has one. Here's a look at one store in west downtown. Safety Tips: Dearborn police will be on the lookout for violations–and the last thing anyone wants is an injury or a yard on fire. Check out …
A Patch photographer gives advice on capturing the sparkle in the sky.
Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Here is a short photographic tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July and beyond. Equipment needed:
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Are you purchasing fireworks for this Fourth of July?
Remember when getting "good" fireworks meant a trip to Toledo? A clear sign of the change in Michigan's laws for the Fourth of July goodies is highly visible in Dearborn: Crazy Steve's Fireworks is now open in west downtown. Located at 22275 Michigan Ave., the store is locally owned and stocked with bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles and more. Open since June 18, an employee at the store said that business hasn't been particularly heavy. However, owner Yasir Kaskorkis told the Dearborn Press and Guide that they expect sales will continue to pick up as July 4 nears. “Since we put our temporary signs up, we’ve had more business," he said. "But we’re really expecting things to pick up now that we’re getting close to the Fourth." …
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22275 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI
/articles/fireworks-store-now-open-in-west-downtown-dearborn
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Monday, June 18, 2012
With the new fireworks laws in place, some are concerned about the safety and damage issues. Do you think fireworks will be a problem in your neighborhood?
As the Fourth of July creeps closer, more and more nights are filled with the booms of fireworks. For the first time in Michigan, several new fireworks are available to residents – fireworks that were previously not allowed in the state. These fireworks include Roman candles, reloadable shells, aerials, firecrackers and bottle or sky rockets, which are louder and larger than most. Dearborn City Council is in the process of changing and strengthening its oridnances regarding fireworks use and noise allowances. But some city officials are concerned that when the state hurried to pass changes to the laws that are expected to increase revenue, they didn't take into account how it would affect certain communities–Dearborn included. Dearborn …
Friday, June 8, 2012
Hundreds of local sellers peddle bottle rockets, Roman candles and other dazzlers for summer revelry.
Get set for a loud and lively fireworks season as dozens of new sales outlets take advantage of a relaxed state law in effect this year. Now that consumers can buy airborne fireworks without leaving Michigan, more than 200 retail sales permits have been issued to temporary sites and stores around Metro Detroit, MLive Media Group reports. Macomb tops the list with 86 sellers, followed by Oakland (61), Wayne (70) and Livingston (38). Some have colorful names–such as Thunderking in Rochester Hills, Red Dragon in Shelby Township and TNT Fireworks in Royal Oak. Others are generic tents, sprouting like carnivals as a sign of the season. Churches benefit from sales at sites in Royal Oak and White Lake. It became legal this year to sell bottle …
Some tips and reminders from the city about what's legal, what's safe and what you can get ticketed for in Dearborn when using fireworks this summer.
The state of Michigan may have removed the ban on the sale and use of many types of powerful or airborne fireworks, such as bottle rockets and Roman candles, but the City of Dearborn wants residents to know that they’ll still be enforcing proper, legal and safe use of the explosives this summer. The city is currently exploring altering its fireworks-related ordinances to mirror state law, as well as to strengthen provisions relating to noise, safety and property violations–including setting off fireworks on any property but one’s own. The City of Dearborn released a message with laws and tips residents should be aware of: Dearborn residents are encouraged to call 313-943-3030 to anonymously report unsafe activity in their neighborhood, or …
Mike
7:01 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
The law should be repealed. That said, Chris Clough's comments quoted in the article are spot on. Even though the law isn’t in effect yet my neighborhood already sounded like a war zone as well. Memorial day was no different. I found flying fireworks litter all over my yard and neighborhood. Potential fire hazards in the making. Law enforcement does nothing to curtail this illegal activity. Since… more ›