Monday, June 20, 2011

"fireworks for sale on 1st Street NW? Is this legal?"

See this message from a 1st Street NW resident:


I`m new to the neighborhood and was surprised to come home and find a little
vendor shack being built to sell fireworks on 1st Street NW.

Really??????

People have jokingly said ``It`s good to be gone over July 4th``. Now I see why--I can`t believe this is legal, but the owner of the Micro Mart says that it is.

Any suggestions of who to reach to in terms of an elected official in city government to voice my concerns?

Honestly, we can`t control the graffiti, street trash, and number of liquor licenses--I`m an urban person--but I`m shocked that we allow street sales of fireworks.

8 comments:

Robert said...

Where on First St. is this stand, exactly?

UP said...

What's wrong with fireworks? Is it the particular location of the sale or the sale in and of itself that you object to?

I enjoy fireworks and think that, as long as they are used in a safe manner, there is no reason that everyone can't enjoy them in our neighborhood as well.

mona said...

this is why I don't patronize that store. If everyone else was smart they would stop giving them any of your money and maybe just maybe sells of bumpers of beer won't be able to sustain them and they will be forced to go out of business.

-J. said...

I'm failing to see what's wrong with selling fireworks? I enjoy them and the service that Micro Mart provides to our neighborhood. Y'all sound like some bitter-ass gentrifiers. Go back to Nebraska.

John said...

I have received a number of e-mails about the sale of fireworks at the Micro Mart at 1st & U, both in terms of the legality of this stand and generally about MPD enforcement of illegal fireworks around Independence Day.

As for the Micro Mart, I stopped there today to speak with Teddy and Aster about the fireworks stand. Here are the three things I can say. First, they do have a permit. I reviewed it while I was there and strongly encouraged Teddy to post copies on the stand itself. Second, Teddy assured me that this would be a one-time event. They would not put up a stand again. Third, this stand will be gone by the 5th and possibly the 4th. Bottom line: this temporary stand is legal.

I will pass on to them the concerns of some neighbors that no fireworks be sold to minors. If anyone wants a copy of the laws regarding the permit for a temporary fireworks stand, please contact me. I do not believe any public hearings or approvals are required for such a permit to be approved.

As for the neighborhood, fireworks displays in Bloomingdale are much reduced from early in the 2000s, let alone the '80s and '90s.

To anticipate any questions people may have about MPD's efforts, I checked with Cmdr. Andy Solberg, and here's his response: "We have an MPD action plan for the fireworks, which involves plain clothes officers and two patrol officers on each shift specifically targeting fireworks violations. We will look into the sales at this site, along with others."

If you have any questions, please let me know.

All the best,
John

John T. Salatti
Commissioner, ANC 5C04
Vice President, Bloomingdale Civic Association
(202) 986-2592
John.Salatti@gmail.com

"Together, Building a Better Bloomingdale"

mona said...

I really do hope this is a sign of desperation for Micro Mart. I hope this is a sign they are desperate for money and they have resorted to selling fireworks to try and make up for lost revenue. I have said it before and will say it again. If you stop giving Micro Mart our money/support by not shopping there they will go away and this will become a non-issue

cavprincess said...

Very sad about the comments about micro mart (whose staff has always been friendly to me when I'm in the store or passing on the street if they happen to be outside). Are you really hopeful for the demise of a local business? Also, I enjoy 4th of July in Bloomingdale and specifically elect to stay here because the spirit is so patriotic. It is wonderful to be in our Nation's Capitol and celebrating with our neighbors on our Nation's birthday.

mona said...

Yes, I am advocating the demise of a local business. Every local business isn't a good business and by deciding to sell fireworks from their store Micro Mart has just announced that they don't care about this neighborhood. The owners probably don't even live in the district, so they will sell these fireworks, close the store before the sun goes down and drive off to their home in MD or VA and never have to deal with what they have just done. That is why they have no problem with selling these items, they never have to face the consequences of their actions. They are long gone by the time the insanity starts.