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Comox Valley regional district to review fireworks bylaw

By Debra Martin

By Debra Martin

Record Staff

You can’t sell fireworks in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland.

But it’s almost the wild west in the Comox Valley’s electoral areas when it comes to selling and buying the pyrotechnic devices at Halloween time.

Courtenay Mayor Larry Jangula wants the regional district to explore fireworks regulations in Comox Valley jurisdictions and perhaps “find opportunities for improvement in the Electoral Area A, B and C fireworks regulations service.”

He noted that all three Valley municipalities ban the sale of fireworks “and the people that sell them are just outside the city and as a result of that we get all kinds of complaints from noise to disturbances in areas to dangerous use of these fireworks to disturbing animals.”

Jangula said the city’s not opposed to controlled fireworks for public events, but rather “random sales” to people, some of whom tend to abuse the devices.

Jangula said in a letter to the regional district committee of the whole last month that he receives many complaints and concerns each year about the sale of fireworks in rural areas.

“I would like to have a discussion with my fellow directors on fireworks use and regulations, and then ask that staff investigate similarities and differences between fireworks regulations in various Comox Valley jurisdictions as well as opportunities to improve the experience of Comox Valley businesses, citizens and visitors with respect to fireworks,” he wrote.

The regional board approved a motion last Tuesday to direct staff to do just that. A report will be prepared for a subsequent committee of the whole meeting.