Great Falls voters approve new fireworks restrictions

Great Falls will join many other Montana cities to restrict fireworks year-round after voters approved the ordinance in Tuesday’s municipal election.

It was a narrow victory on the fireworks ballot question as 55% (8,766 votes) favored the new restrictions, and 45% (7,288) were opposed.

The new ordinance restricts fireworks that are “designed to leave the ground, such as rockets, shells, cakes, missiles and roman candles.” It also bans fireworks that are “designed to explode upon activation, such as salutes and firecrackers.” The ordinance allows sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, snap caps, smoke devices and other “novelty items.” The restriction is year-round and includes the Fourth of July holiday.

The new ordinance also allows permitted public fireworks displays. Fireworks sales will still be allowed on county property, which exists in some pockets within the Great Falls city limits.

The Great Falls City Commission voted in early August to send the fireworks question to the fall ballot. Commissioners debated whether they should propose an ordinance to pass on their own but ultimately voted to let voters decide.

Debate over fireworks use in the city intensified after the July 2 death of a Great Falls woman in a house fire. Officials determined the likely cause of the fire to be fireworks, although it is unknown who ignited them. The death prompted city leaders to consider a ban, an issue that Commissioner Rick Tryon said comes up every year but never reaches a vote.

Those who supported a fireworks restriction told commissioners about the difficulties they faced each year in dealing with pets amid the loud noises that often continued past midnight, when use was supposed to stop according to the previous ordinance. Others talked about the impacts to veterans who are sensitive to the sounds of explosions.

Those who opposed a restriction came largely from the fireworks sales industry and talked about the joy and tradition of fireworks around the Fourth of July. They also warned that a restriction would do little to mitigate the use of fireworks.

As city officials considered how to craft a restriction proposal, they sought input from other cities. Police officials in Havre, Missoula, Billings and Bozeman wrote in emailed comments that their departments can do little to enforce fireworks bans in their cities, although the departments work proactively to educate residents. If an officer has the time to respond to a fireworks complaint, the offender is often gone. Great Falls Police Chief Jeff Newton told commissioners on July 15 that officers are often tied up on other calls and may not always be available to chase fireworks offenders.

On July 22, former Fire Chief Jeremy Jones (now deputy city manager) told commissioners that if a restriction passed, the city should set a fine that “sets a statement” to deter people from breaking the ordinance.

The ballot question didn’t specify a fine amount. That will be set in the future by city leaders.

Mayor re-elected, commissioners chosen

Voters overwhelmingly approved the re-election of Mayor Cory Reeves, who secured 72% of the vote for another two-year term.

Reeves, who claimed victory as early results emerged Tuesday evening, told Montana Free Press Wednesday morning that he’s excited to continue his work.

“Honored and humbled that the community believes in the direction the city is heading,” he said.

His opponent, Jasmine Taylor, congratulated Reeves in a Facebook post as results were released Wednesday morning. She received 28% of the vote in Tuesday’s election.

The Great Falls City Commission will get one new member and see one member return as the races for two open seats wrapped up. Incumbent Commissioner Joe McKenney received the most votes, 8,747, in a field of four candidates. Alluvion executive and former state lawmaker Casey Schreiner received the second-highest number of votes, at 8,567, and will fill the seat left by Commissioner Susan Wolff, who will not seek another term.

Commission candidate Matt Pipinich received 5,608 votes, and Pete Anderson received 5,241.

Elsewhere in the results, voters approved the retention of municipal judge Mark A. Dunn. And five people were voted into Neighborhood Council No. 3, which was the only competitive council race in the city. They are Emily Bertsch, Kathleen Gessaman, Garri Mauch, Eric Peterson and Bradley Jay Riehl.