The Fountain Hills Times reports that Governor Brewer (lame duck); LD23 Representatives John Kavanagh (candidate for state senate) and Michelle Ugenti (incumbent candidate for state house); and Senator (candidate for secretary of state) Michele Reagan (all “Republicans”) supported yet another preemption of local government control…in order to promote the use of fireworks. In the desert. During wildfire season.
Can the fireworks industry possibly make large enough campaign contributions to influence them? Or has the price of an elected representative really plummeted lately? Of course, there is the possibility that they really ARE that dumb.
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Think Brewer’s history as governor will go up in smoke with this absurd vote. What were these politicians thinking? When will Arizonans wise up and elect intelligent folks to represent them? Remember Fred DuVal, Felecia Rotellini, Bob Littlefield when you vote in November.
I’d say we all better pray for rain before July 4th. This is potentially a very serious issue in north Scottsdale.
Now one would have thought….. after the loss of 19 City of Prescott firefighters, members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, we would be banning fireworks in Arizona all together.
In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage.
In 2012, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,700 people for fireworks related injuries; 55% of 2012 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 31% were to the head.
I’m going to speculate here, that if we follow the money, the fireworks companies “blasted” a few bucks at these 3 kookie lawmakers campaigns. Well Ugenti, Kavanaugh and Regan, when your neighbors house burns to the ground….. or we have another catastrophic fire like Yarnell…….Please don’t put your ugly mugs on the television stating how sorry you are for everyone’s loss.
The only people that screwed up here is Scottsdale city government.
This is actually a good law for 90% of Arizona where fireworks will be banned 100%. Michele is running for SECRETARY OF STATE so she was right to vote yes. Kavanaugh is running for STATE SENATOR so he was right to vote yes. Ugenti represents below Frank Lloyd Wright Scottsdale to a large degree so even she can claim her constituents favor the law.
No, it gets better. Just watch this. Now you have our local newspaper showing you which one is MEGAFUN and the best to burn down the most property with! Love the video! Go go lawmakers! Lets burn some property people!
http://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/phoenix/2014/06/26/11433475/