City Council debates new Ohio law legalizing fireworks; NBA coach born in Ashland; Remembering Norma J. Hildebrand
New Ohio law allows fireworks; Mansfield City Council not sure:
Norma J. Hildebrand:
Ohio’s new law allowing consumer grade fireworks is a source of disagreement in the Mansfield city council. A change in Ohio law, which allows residents to shoot off their own consumer-grade fireworks on and around several holidays, takes effect July 1.
Under the old law, Ohio residents purchasing consumer-grade fireworks — things like firecrackers, Roman candles and bottle rockets — had 48 hours to transport them out of the state. Now, residents will be allowed to possess and discharge the fireworks on more than 20 holidays, including New Years, Chinese New Year, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4, Labor Day Weekend and Diwali.
However, the change, which Governor Mike Dewine signed into law back in November, does allow local governments to restrict hours for the fireworks or even ban them completely.
Some cities, including Dayton and University Heights, have already put their own bans in place. Mansfield City Council is considering doing the same.
They met Tuesday with Mansfield Fire Dept. Capt. Dan Crow, who heads the fire prevention and arson investigation bureau. Council met with police Chief Keith Porch, as well.
Currently, Mansfield city fireworks ordinances fall in line with state law. That law, of course, is changing. So if Mansfield wants to keep their fireworks ban, they’re going to have to implement their own.
But even if council bans discharge of fireworks, Crow said the ban would be pretty hard to enforce. Fourth Ward Councilman Alomar Davenport questioned if council was being asked to consider creating a law that would be “99.9 percent” of the time impossible to enforce. At-large Councilwoman Stephanie Zader raised the same question.
Even so, Porch said he would ban local commercial-grade fireworks if he was making the choice, based on resident complaints and safety issues, despite his department being short-handed. He compared enforcing the ordinance to a traffic infraction.
The Council discussed the issue for 20 minutes in committee, but ultimately took no action. They agreed to continue discussing the issue before the new state law takes effect.
Longtime basketball coach Eric Musselman is an Ashland native
Now, some local history. Did you know that NBA and college basketball coach, Eric Musselman, was born in Ashland? In addition to playing basketball at San Diego State, he’s gone on to work with a number of NBA teams and was head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings.
He coached in the NBA development league before taking the head coaching job in Nevada and now in Arkansas. His 2021 Razorbacks team has been the best its been in more than two decade s… finishing the season ranked #10 in the final AP Men’s Basketball Poll and #6 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Free 5K run available at North Lake Park
Next, an event that you should know about. Did you know that every week, intrepid Ohioans get together for a free 5k run in North Lake Park? Whether you want to run fast, slow, or are just there to get moving, you’ll meet and run with a bunch of people who want to get out there.
All you need to do is register at parkrun.us and you can show up at 9 a.m. this Saturday and every Saturday to join in the fun.
Norma J. Hildebrand
Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Norma J. Hildebrand of Ashland. She was born in Ashland County in 1935, attended Nankin Schools in her elementary years, and graduated from Ashland High School.
A homemaker, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Norma enjoyed cooking and was a member of Park Street Brethren Church. She is survived by her son, her grandchildren, her in-laws, close family friends and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Norma’s life.
