Paul Murphy / Eyewitness News
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ST. CHARLES, La. -- There are political fireworks in St. Charles Parish over a long standing parishwide ban.

The parish council just agreed to allow fireworks four days a year, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on July 3 - 4 and Dec. 31 - Jan. 1.

'There's a lot of people for it and there's a lot of people against it,' said St. Charles Parish President V.J. St. Pierre on the Eyewitness Morning News. 'I think this ordinance is more palatable. It allows fireworks popping in the parish four days out of the year. It's a tough decision to make.'

St. Pierre has yet to sign the ordinance into law, so the fireworks ban remains in effect for this year's July 4 festivities.

He said he still has some concerns in a parish with 26 industrial plants.

'That's why the fireworks ban was put into place the first time, because a lot of these plants were finding bottle rockets on top of gasoline tanks and that sort of stuff.'

Most St. Charles neighbors support a limited use of fireworks.

'I agree with it 100 percent,' said Shaw Gassen. 'I think there should be a beautiful show in the sky for those beautiful days.'

'I respect the people who are against it because there have been some injuries, but if the parents supervise their children, I don't see any harm in it,' said Jose Cochran.

St. Charles Councilman Terrell Wilson is one of two parish council members who voted against the partial lifting of the fireworks ban. He said fireworks are noisy and a nuisance for many neighbors.

'The litter, the noise, having people have to leave the comforts of their own home to go rent a hotel room so their animal doesn't go berserk and grandparents having a difficult time,' said Wilson.

Wilson also fears the new ordinance opens the door to lifting the fireworks ban all together.

'Next, you know there's a possibility they'll be selling fireworks in St. Charles Parish,' said Wilson.

The St. Charles Sheriff's Office released a statement saying since the new law has not taken effect yet. Deputies will be writing tickets if you're caught popping fireworks this Independence Day holiday.

Deputies wrote 113 citations over this past New Year's Eve celebration and confiscated about $10,000 worth of fireworks.

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