More fireworks are in store on the cityâÂÂs proposed fireworks ban.

A procedural discussion tonight on the ordinance banning fireworks around Independence Day seems sure to inspire a fresh round of debate on the issue from members of the Douglas County Fireworks Assn. and others.

âÂÂIâÂÂm not going to disclose what our exact battle plan is at this juncture,â said Eric Garrett, the associationâÂÂs secretary and owner of K-10 Fireworks in Eudora. âÂÂBut no, this isnâÂÂt done yet.âÂÂ

Arguments about the proposed ban havenâÂÂt abated since the commission made a preliminary decision endorsing the concept last month.

âÂÂThe majority (of comments) IâÂÂve received since we voted on the issue are thanking us for the action we took,â Commissioner David Dunfield said.

Mayor Sue Hack said she had received a few angry e-mails on the subject.

âÂÂI was accused of not listening, not reading, not appreciating,â she said. âÂÂBut when it came down to the safety of our firefighters, thatâÂÂs what turned my thinking on it, as well as the safety of our citizens.âÂÂ

The city currently allows fireworks during select hours July 2-4. Sales inside city limits are prohibited, but they flourish in the unincorporated parts of Douglas County, and city residents can store fireworks if done in accordance with safety codes.

After a fireworks-related apartment fire in 2001, city commissioners began considering a ban. City officials also have complained about debris from fireworks left on streets and in parks after the Independence Day holiday.

The ordinance scheduled for consideration tonight would ban all fireworks except novelties such as âÂÂparty poppers,â âÂÂsnappersâ and âÂÂtoy smoke devices.âÂÂ

But the ban will be ignored, Garrett said.

âÂÂWeâÂÂre still going to sell,â he said, noting the county would continue to allow sales outside city limits. âÂÂIâÂÂm pretty optimistic about our sales. I think people will shoot off fireworks in the county if they have to, but people are still going to do it.âÂÂ

He wouldnâÂÂt say whether the fireworks association would pursue legal action, but he did say âÂÂpossibly political actionâ is in store.

That would seem to mean fireworks could become an explosive issue during the coming campaign for Lawrence City Commission; the general election is April 1.

âÂÂTheyâÂÂre certainly entitled to run,â Hack said. âÂÂBut the city commission involves more issues than just fireworks.âÂÂ

The commission will discuss the exact wording of the ordinance during tonightâÂÂs meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.