Not everyone is celebrating the new fireworks ordinance

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Some changes may be in store for the fireworks law passed late last year that allowed fireworks in Anchorage on New Year’s Eve. A change could further restrict the time people can set off fireworks or even limit them to a few designated spots around town, away from crowded housing.

While Assembly member Dick Traini says he's against any major changes to the fireworks law, he says he is open to a compromise.

When it comes to the fireworks on New Year’s legally set off all around Anchorage, there are pretty much only two opinions.

“There's nobody in the middle. They either love the fireworks, or they hate it!” Traini, who represents Midtown, said.

Count Assembly member Harriet Drummond in the "hated it" column.

“What I hear from people is they like that Anchorage is quiet and safe and I don't think people felt either one of those things at New Year’s Eve this year,” Drummond, of West Anchorage, said.

After looking at photos showing the fireworks mess that one of her neighbors sent in, Drummond says she's looking at how she can go about doing something about the law.

“I think we just need to repeal it and start again. There were a lot of things that came up that I don't think people thought would come up,” she said.

While nothing is set in stone, she says she's pondering some ways to help quiet some of the complaints.

“Ideas like limiting the time further -- shortening the time. Perhaps open some public spaces to people can set off fireworks in a contained area,” Drummond suggested.

It's safe to say Traini, who wrote the new fireworks law, loved them.

“Quite frankly, I talked to people that had fun with their children, grandchildren, using fireworks. I had neighborhoods come together to shoot fireworks off,” he said.

He says he wouldn't go for any major changes to the law, but that he is open to a compromise on how long people can shoot off fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

“I think so, I think any compromise makes sense. We could have it from 10:00 to 1:00,” Traini said.

Go to SpeakUpAlaska.com to tell us what you think about fireworks in Anchorage on New Year’s Eve.

Contact Jason Lamb at jlamb@ktuu.com