City Of Marion Wants To Change Rules On Sale Of Fireworks

If it seemed like there were a lot more fireworks stands in Marion this year, you're right. In fact, there were nearly triple the number of vendors selling them in 2018 as compared to 2017. Now, the Marion fire chief wants to change the rules regarding where fireworks can be sold within the city.

Fire Chief Deb Krebill wants to change to rules to allow sales only on industrial sites in Marion. That would be similar to what the city of Cedar Rapids allows. Krebill says Cedar Rapids changing their rules pushed many vendors to set up shop in Marion instead. There were 20 vendors in Marion this year compared to just 8 in 2017. That put a lot of stress and overtime on the Fire Marshall who is in charge of inspecting the stores for compliance.

Krebill also has concerns with fireworks being sold in high traffic areas. Many tents selling fireworks were in parking lots of stores like Wal-Mart and Menards. She has concerns with explosives being stored around that many people.

The Marion City Council has said that it will look at the chief's suggestions.

[via KCRG]