About twenty people attended a public hearing today at the Oneida County Office Building on a local law to allow for the sale of sparklers in the county.

The Board of Legislators has passed legislation that would permit the sale of sparklers around the Fourth of July and again around New Year's Eve.

Among those urging County Executive Anthony Picente to veto the legislation was Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks.  Brooks says the fire department spends a lot of time and effort teaching kids not to play with matches.  He says this is the equivalent of putting little torches in their hands.

Tami Seaman of Majestic Fireworks in Clinton, who spoke in favor of the law, says the sparklers that would be legal would be bamboo sparklers, and not the more dangerous metal ones.

Picente has until June 11th to sign or veto the legislation.

36 counties have passed local laws to permit the sale of sparklers, including Herkimer and Madison.

Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
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