Editorial: Time to end the fireworks confusion in Newton
By: Chad Frey
For Newton, fireworks season has become an annual exercise in frustration. Every January, the City Commission debates dates, times, and rules—but what should be simple has become unnecessarily complicated. Sales windows shift, discharge periods change, and residents, businesses, and even city staff are left scratching their heads. As the commission prepares to vote on Feb. 24 on the 2026 fireworks ordinance, one thing is crystal clear: no matter what we decide, we have to get this right.
This isn’t just about sparklers and fountains. Loud, explosive fireworks affect real people in very real ways. Veterans with PTSD, families with young children, and pet owners—especially those with older animals on medication—live through this chaos each year. Resident Laurie Hartke put it plainly at a the very first meeting on this topic for 2026: “Can we stop thinking about money for a minute and can we think about people… We have veterans. I have a grandson who has seen action in Iraq. He goes to the basement and turns up the volume real high so that he can survive.” Her words are a reminder that fireworks are not just fun—they can be disruptive and even harmful.
And yet, the conversation seems stuck in a loop. Vendors advocate for consistency, citing confusion caused by rules that change annually. Residents ask for shorter, more manageable seasons. Commissioners juggle conflicting priorities, data that’s sometimes inaccurate, and votes that are misreported. Last year, Newton allowed nine days of sales, but city analytics and vendor reports show most shopping happened in the final three days leading to July 4. Longer seasons added costs without significantly increasing revenue. The result? Everyone is frustrated, and nothing ever feels final.
Economic arguments are part of the discussion, but they are not the whole story. Newton collected more than $13,000 in local sales tax from fireworks in 2025—a small fraction of the city budget. Vendors themselves report similar total sales whether they operate for four days or nine. In short, extending the season doesn’t meaningfully boost revenue but does increase confusion and labor costs. It’s a clear signal that the city can be more efficient while still supporting local business.
Commissioners know the stakes. Jason Miller has pointed out that accurate, clear data and community feedback are essential. Misreported votes and incorrect sales tax figures have muddied the waters, leading to delays and second-guessing. “We have not all been on the same page talking about the same information at the same time,” Miller said. If the city wants rules that work, transparency and clarity can’t be optional—they have to be the foundation.
This is a moment to break the cycle. Newton can implement a short, predictable fireworks season and a limited full-discharge window that lets people blow stuff up late into the night on Independence Day. That compromise respects both public safety and tradition. More importantly, it gives residents and businesses a clear set of expectations that can be relied upon year after year. No more last-minute changes. No more confusion. No more conflicting reports.
The frustration is real, but it can end. Commissioners have the chance to make a decision that balances safety, community enjoyment, and common sense. It may not please every voice—but it should respect the majority while protecting the most vulnerable. This is about trust. It’s about predictability. It’s about getting it right, once and for all.
Newton can, and must, do better. The Feb. 24 vote is not just another meeting—it’s the opportunity to close the chapter on a debate that has dragged on far too long. No more confusion. No more inconsistent rules. No more frustration. It’s time to set fireworks rules that are clear, fair, and lasting. For residents, for vendors, and for the future, Newton needs a solution that finally works.
No matter what we decide, we have to get this right. The community has waited long enough. It’s time for clarity, consistency, and a fireworks season that makes sense.
— Chad Frey is managing editor of The Newton Kansan. He and his family are proud to call Newton home.