A “yes” vote on Measure D means that Ordinance 954 would be enacted and the City’s existing regulations would be amended to prohibit the sale or use of “safe and sane” fireworks in the City.
City of Rohnert ParkMeasure D Ordinance - Majority Approval Required
City of Rohnert Park
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Shall Ordinance No. 954, An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Rohnert Park Repealing and Replacing Chapter 9.49 of the Rohnert Park Municipal Code to Prohibit the Sale and Use of Fireworks, be adopted?
What is this proposal?
Details — Official information
YES vote means
NO vote means
A “no” vote on Measure D, means that Ordinance 954 would not be enacted and the sale and use of “safe and sane” fireworks would continue to be allowed in the City.
Summary
Sonoma County Registrar of Voters
If approved by the voters, Measure D, would enact Ordinance No. 954 which amends existing regulations to prohibit the sale and use of any fireworks in the City of Rohnert Park. State law and existing City regulations prohibit the use of “dangerous fireworks” and allow the sale of state-approved fireworks within the City of Rohnert Park. “Dangerous fireworks” are defined in Health and Safety Code sections 12505 and 12561 and the relevant sections of Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 6. State-approved fireworks are also commonly referred to as “safe and sane” fireworks and are defined in Health and Safety Code sections 12529 and 12562 and the relevant sections of Title 19, California Code of Regulations Division 1, Chapter 6. The City’s current regulations allow the sale of “safe and sane” fireworks between June 30 and July 4 of each year, upon issuance of a City permit. Existing regulations also allow the general public to use “safe and sane” fireworks between July 2 and July 4 of each year except in parking lots used for commercial properties. If enacted by the voters, Ordinance No. 954 would amend existing regulations to prohibit the sale, storage, possession, and use of any kind of firework, including both “dangerous” and “safe and sane” fireworks in the City. If enacted, Ordinance No. 954 would also impose a penalty of $250 for any use of “safe and sane” fireworks, escalating to $500 for a second violation and $750 for subsequent violations. Ordinance 954, if enacted, would modify existing municipal code prohibitions regarding pyrotechnic displays, manufacturing, transportation and storage of fireworks to allow those activities only in accordance with applicable provisions of state law, including requirements imposed by the State Fire Marshal and the California Fire Code, and permits issued by the fire code official. A “YES” vote on Measure D means that Ordinance 954 would be enacted and the City’s existing regulations would be amended to prohibit the sale or use of “safe and sane” fireworks in the City. A “NO” vote on Measure D, means that Ordinance 954 would not be enacted and the sale and use of “safe and sane” fireworks would continue to be allowed in the City. In order to become effective Measure D must be approved by a majority of voters. s/ Michelle Marchetta Kenyon City Attorney for the City of Rohnert Park
Impartial analysis / Proposal
Michelle Marchetta Kenyon, City Attorney
If approved by the voters, Measure D, would enact Ordinance No. 954 which amends existing regulations to prohibit the sale and use of any fireworks in the City of Rohnert Park.
State law and existing City regulations prohibit the use of “dangerous fireworks” and allow the sale of state-approved fireworks within the City of Rohnert Park. “Dangerous fireworks” are defined in Health and Safety Code sections 12505 and 12561 and the relevant sections of Title 19, California Code of Regulations, Division 1, Chapter 6. State-approved fireworks are also commonly referred to as “safe and sane” fireworks and are defined in Health and Safety Code sections 12529 and 12562 and the relevant sections of Title 19, California Code of Regulations Division 1, Chapter 6. The City’s current regulations allow the sale of “safe and sane” fireworks between June 30 and July 4 of each year, upon issuance of a City permit. Existing regulations also allow the general public to use “safe and sane” fireworks between July 2 and July 4 of each year except in parking lots used for commercial properties.
If enacted by the voters, Ordinance No. 954 would amend existing regulations to prohibit the sale, storage, possession, and use of any kind of firework, including both “dangerous” and “safe and sane” fireworks in the City. If enacted, Ordinance No. 954 would also impose a penalty of $250 for any use of “safe and sane” fireworks, escalating to $500 for a second violation and $750 for subsequent violations. Ordinance 954, if enacted, would modify existing municipal code prohibitions regarding pyrotechnic displays, manufacturing, transportation and storage of fireworks to allow those activities only in accordance with applicable provisions of state law, including requirements imposed by the State Fire Marshal and the California Fire Code, and permits issued by the fire code official.
A “YES” vote on Measure D means that Ordinance 954 would be enacted and the City’s existing regulations would be amended to prohibit the sale or use of “safe and sane” fireworks in the City.
A “NO” vote on Measure D, means that Ordinance 954 would not be enacted and the sale and use of “safe and sane” fireworks would continue to be allowed in the City. In order to become effective Measure D must be approved by a majority of voters.
Published Arguments — Arguments for and against
Arguments FOR
Fireworks, especially in a fire prone wildland-urban interface community like Rohnert Park experiencing tinder dry conditions during an extreme drought, are anything but safe and sane.
Some say banning legal (safe and sane) fireworks will increase illegal fireworks use. This belief is unfounded and misleading. Don’t be fooled by it.
The Orange County Grand Jury studied legal and illegal fireworks in 1988 and 2008 and found:
(1) the use of illegal fireworks is significantly greater in cities that allow the sale of “safe and sane” fireworks; (2) “safe and sane” fireworks mask the use of illegal fireworks and frustrate enforcement efforts; (3) clogged and littered streets hamper public safety response (for fire, medical or safety incidents); (4) fireworks have significant negative environmental impacts on our air and waterways.
All fireworks (legal and illegal) can cause PTSD victims and pets to suffer terribly. University of Pennsylvania Medicine found that “individuals with PTSD, as well as any combat veteran regardless of their PTSD status, are more likely to be triggered or respond to” fireworks. Should we callously disregard the suffering of these individuals, many of whom are veterans or newer residents who are victims of the 2017 and 2019 fires, or the abuse fireworks inflict on pets?
Some Rohnert Park non-profits fundraise through fireworks sales. A ban does not mean they will lose funding, however. The City of Rohnert Park Foundation has established a Replacement Funding Program to keep these non-profits whole for at least one year (and possibly longer) should a ban be enacted.
Voting Yes to ban fireworks will prevent regional fires from fireworks sold in Rohnert Park and aligns Rohnert Park with the 90% of county residents that took this same step many years ago.
Ban fireworks in Rohnert Park by voting Yes.
s/ Chris Borr
Founder, FAIR-RP
s/ Gina Belforte
Former Mayor and Councilmember
s/ Matt Epstein
Legislation Chair, Cal State Firefighters Assoc
Arguments AGAINST
Don’t be fooled! Measure D will not stop illegal fireworks in Rohnert Park!
Here’s why respected local community leaders and organizations recommend voting No on D.
Measure D will not stop dangerous, illegal fireworks – like aerial shells, rockets, firecrackers, and loud explosives like M-80s. Vote No!
Measure D will only ban a limited variety of ground-based fireworks that have been tested and approved by the California State Fire Marshal and sold by Rohnert Park nonprofit groups. These legal fireworks do not explode or fly into the air and can only be used from July 2 through July 4 each year. Vote No!
According to a Rohnert Park city study: “Arguably, safe and sane fireworks have not caused any structure fires in the history of Rohnert Park. Illegal fireworks are likely the cause of most fireworks-related injuries and damages.” Vote No!
Measure D will eliminate over $324,000 in annual funding for Rohnert Park nonprofit organizations that are critical in our community, including Rancho Cotate High School Music Boosters, Rohnert Park Swim Club, Rohnert Park Soccer, Rohnert Park Cotati Youth Football and Cheer Inc., Rancho Cotate High School Baseball/Softball, Rohnert Park Girls Softball Association, Technology High School Sports Boosters, Expeditionary Learning Parents Club, and others. Vote No!
Measure D could actually make Rohnert Park Less Safe! On March 9, 2021, Rohnert Park’s Public Safety Chief advised the City Council that he had “…spoken to many chiefs from other cities who have bans in their cities and it does not stop the use of illegal fireworks, and some have said it could increase…”
If you want to say yes to wholesome family fun, yes to tradition and yes to patriotism, then you must say No on D.
Vote No on D to preserve your right to celebrate the 4th of July responsibly with safe, California State Fire Marshal approved fireworks and support Rohnert Park’s nonprofit community organizations.
s/ April Garcia
Board Member, RP Soccer
s/ Tracy Si
Community Volunteer
s/ Sean Sage
Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel
s/ Nichole Niklewicz
Former Police Dispatcher
s/ Tracey Poueu-Guerrero
High School Sports Coach
Replies to Arguments FOR
The proponents of Measure D want to confuse you with “their facts.” We know the facts, and we are voting No on Measure D.
Here are the facts from sources you can trust:
“Banning the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks will have no impact on the use of illegal fireworks according to [Rohnert Park] Director of Public Safety Tim Mattos. It will have a large impact on the community non-profits that rely on selling legal fireworks to fund their activities.” (thecommunityvoice.com, July 31, 2020)
“Rohnert Park has a long history of successful use of Safe and Sane Fireworks on the 4th of July”, Rohnert Park Fire Marshal Jim Thompson (June 26, 2019)
Illegal fireworks are already illegal! Measure D simply makes Rohnert Park less safe! Other communities have tried, and it backfired.
Santa Rosa banned legal fireworks in 2004, but according to the police, “Despite being illegal in most of Sonoma County, fireworks are still being lit.” (The Press Democrat, June 18, 2021)
“Oakland overrun by illegal fireworks.” (KTVU Fox 2, June 23, 2020)
Oakland warehouse has “Seven tons of illegal fireworks—including skyrockets, cherry bombs and powerful, noisy M-80s.” (sfchronicle.com, June 25, 2021)
What’s the answer? As residents concerned for the future of Rohnert Park, we care about our community, support stricter enforcement of existing laws and strong community education efforts.
Don’t be fooled! Measure D will not stop illegal fireworks! Instead, it will strip Rohnert Park community groups of their self-reliance and funding. Making them dependent on city politicians for funding handouts.
Continue our community tradition of family fun, community support and the right to responsibly celebrate the 4th of July.
Vote “No” on Measure D.
s/ April Garcia
Board Member, RP Soccer
s/ Tracy Si
Community Volunteer
s/ Sean Sage
Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel
s/ Nichole Niklewicz
Former Police Dispatcher
s/ Tracey Poueu-Guerrero
High School Sports Coach
Replies to Arguments AGAINST
Opposition to Measure D is bankrolled by fireworks distributors to protect their profits at the expense of our safety.
The City of Rohnert Park Foundation has established a Replacement Funding Program to keep non-profits whole should fireworks sales be banned. Foundation funds are not taxpayer monies but donations from the Graton Rancheria Casino. Opponents ignore these facts.
Vote Yes on Measure D to ban fireworks.
Legal fireworks cause fires. In 2003, a Santa Rosa home burned to the ground due to safe and sane fireworks. On June 22, 2021, fireworks in Vallejo caused a four-alarm fire, damaging homes and forcing evacuations. Last year, Rohnert Park Fire Department received 166 fireworks-related calls for help (about one every 30-minutes) between July 3-5, 2020. We have just been lucky not to have lost homes. All but two cities and the County of Sonoma have banned fireworks for this, among other reasons.
Vote Yes on Measure D.
The Orange County Grand Jury found that communities with legal fireworks experience higher rates of illegal fireworks use than those who have banned all fireworks. Legal fireworks make a city less safe, not more. Opponents ignore these impartial findings.
Vote Yes on Measure D.
Rohnert Park is a family-oriented city with wonderful amenities and events. Measure D will protect our safety, especially during tinder-dry conditions when our county has been devastated by wildfires regularly.
We can still celebrate and have wholesome family fun while reducing fire danger and injury at the same time.
Vote Yes on Measure D!
s/ Chris Borr
Founder, FAIR-RP
s/ Gina Belforte
Former Mayor and Councilmember
s/ Matt Epstein
Legislation Chair, Cal State Firefighters Association
Read the proposed legislation
More information
Opinions & Analysis (4)
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