Resident Still Concerned Over Fireworks Ordinance

The father of a Marine who was home on leave last summer and suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome is still frustrated by the city's current fireworks ordinance.  The 2011 ordinance sets hours for the seven-day period (July 1 - 7) of 11am to 11pm.  Previously there were no hours set.

However, Larry Jansen said that his son, Lance Corporal Peter Jansen, woke to daily fireworks set off at around 10am "shaken and confused."  

Jansen said he had contacted his alderman Noah Fiedler and that Fiedler defended his stand on the issue.  Previous meeting minutes showed a wide range of opinions on the council, from Alderman Neil Borgman supporting an 8pm-11pm ordinance to others were resistant to limiting the number of days.  Fiedler preferred less government oversight and supported the seven-day permit period. 

Jansen said he sent a second email to all of the aldermen and that no one had responded, prompting him to assume "the common council ignores a concerned citizen regarding effects of morning fireworks on military personnel suffering from Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome."

Fiedler responded by saying, "If I did not respond to his email, assuming I received either one, it's because I talked with him in person on the phone, not because I lacked the courage or courtesy to speak with a constituent.  If other council members did not return Mr. Jansen's emails, assuming they received them, it's likely because they were informed he lives in my district, and left the communication to me." 

Fiedler also explained that the council "exhaustively considered comments from both sides of the issue:  those who wanted fireworks completely banned, and those who believe that fireworks should not be regulated in any manner.  While not everyone agrees with the decision the council reached, all opinions and points of view were heard, understood, and became part of the process that led to the ordinance we have now."

Jansen stated he had tried to approach a neighbor previously when they had set off a firework prior to the allotted hours, and they were not cooperative and they had not spoken since.  He would still like to see the hours set later in the day, and said, "if my son is affected, there must be others."