Hart Co. To Consider Fireworks Ordinance

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

With a new law going into effect today in Georgia that legalizes the sale of fireworks, one northeast Georgia county is going to look at regulations that take the new state law into effect.

Hart County Commissioner Ricky Carter said that Hart County needs to begin looking at how to best regulate the use of fireworks.

“I have already have complaints from people and I can already see the writing on the wall,” Carter said. “I think we’re going to have problems once this becomes legal and I think we need to look into it.”

He made the comments at a recent Hart County Commission meeting.

Hart County Attorney Walter Gordon said that with how close the Fourth of July is this year, there is no time now to come up with any sort of local regulations or ordinance.

“There is no opportunity or time to create a well thought of or considered county regulations between now and the effective date,” Gordon said. “But state law no local law or ordinance can go into effect until January 1, 2016.”

Gordon did advise Hart County staff begin coming up with a regulation or set of regulations in time to go into effect in January.

He said those regulations could govern things like how Hart County regulates fireworks dealers and actual live fireworks displays.

Hart County Commissioners agreed to pursue developing fireworks regulations in time for next year’s July 4th celebration.