I am opposed to idiots that light off fire crackers at 3am like last night in my neighborhood. I don't think banning them makes a hole lot of difference - idiots will still be idiots.
The so called safe ones are a joke. Overpriced and useless, it still boggles my mind as to why people buy these things. Yet I am sure to come home to a smoke filled, trash lined street tonight.

Fireworks should be illegal to the public, especially to kids. Not only is the general public not educated in how to light fireworks safely, they seem to find amusement in the fact that they can get seriously hurt using them.

Ace Carter is just plain wrong! And those that know me can attest I have never been accused of being silent on much, let alone this. I have been at every Fireworks press conference and public education opportunity, and participated first hand on this issue. Ace wouldn't know that, as he wasn't there. So let's refocus and get the information from the horses mouth:

I have been on the forefront of increased enforcement, having successfully championed the establishment of the highly successful multi-agency Illegal Fireworks Task Force.

I introduced the concept of the administrative fines (not Ledford, although he supported it), and in fact, pushed to have them increased substantially from the staff's original nominal first offense to a minimum $2500.

I met with the former State Fire Marshal Ruben Grihalva on fireworks enforcement, ensuring undercover operations were being conducted to arrest interstate transportation of fireworks from Nevada, and off Indian reservations in California.

I also met with State and local fire officials on the boundary changes locally for the fire hazard zone, and have asked the City Attorney to bring forward an ordinanace o further adjust the lines logically extending it to the base of our hillside brush zones.

I campaigned for the increase in the local permit fees for the booths to help cover the cost of education and enforcement.

I pushed to have additional permanent signage posted at fire zone boundaries to further reinforce the limits of use.

I have encouraged additional participation by our Supervisor's office and Lancaster resulting in increased enforcement.

Following the lambasting by Lancaster officials last year about the predicted trail of maimed babies and smoldering rubble due to Palmdale fireworks sales, I checked the public records compiled by the Sate Fire Marshal revealed that the fires and injuries were almost exclusively illegal fireworks, not the State Fire Marshal registered safe and sane variety. If it flies, blows up, or is bought from your neighbor's trunk, it's illegal! And incidentally, Lancaster had more fire incidents, and less tickets issued, than Palmdale last year.

I have put my money where my mouth is and been out at the Command Post and on the streets with the task force on the fourth to get the first hand, unfiltered comments from the guys.

This issue has been tested by the voters TWICE, and although I personally and professionally don't endorse their use, as an elected official, I will support the mandate of my constituents. Before you boycott the organizations, realize they raised over a million dollars through this fundraiser to support primarily youth groups headquartered in Palmdale, but serving community-wide.

Feel free to call me at 661.267.5142 for further info

Steve Hofbauer
Mayor Pro-Tem
City of Palmdale