Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Marshal will ticket violators

Gurdon City Marshal Don Childres said he had his share of firecracker complaint calls this year, "but nobody's house caught on fire."

"Fire Chief Jake McBride said we had a grass fire reported on South First Street, but that was it," he said. "The fire happened with other types of firecrackers involved during a time when it was legal to shoot them. As to the bottle rocket ban, we went around and passed out the city ordinance banning its sale and use in the city.

"In other words, we worked with our public. But parents need to understand, that if we come around to answer complaints on New Year's over firecrackers after hours or bottle rockets, we will be fining folks $200."

Childres said the police department collected more than a car trunk full of bottle rockets from people the officers caught in the act of lighting them in town.

"I am not really sure what we will do with all of them," he said. "But we sure have plenty."

Tambra Childres, recorder and treasurer, said the ordinance in question is 02-008, and was passed by Gurdon City Council in November of 2002.

It stipulates that during the holiday season, there is an six-day window when shooting other firecrackers besides bottle rockets will be OK in Gurdon, as long as the shooting is before 10 p.m.

Bottle rocket sales or usage is banned in Gurdon.

Marshal Childres said, "All in all, this July 4 season was not too bad.

"We have had more complaints in the past. This department wants to be good to our children and so we gave no tickets this time. But those that were warned and given a copy of the ordinance know who they are. If we stop them again on New Year's, some parents are going to get upset."