August 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The Smithville Mayor and Aldermen plan to have a workshop soon to address a couple of complaints which were raised by citizens during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.
During the public comment period John Daniels asked that the city take action to prohibit or limit the firing of fireworks in the city, particularly at night in residential neighborhoods.
Another citizen, Joann Hargrave has called for the city to replace at least one attendant at Green Brook Park claiming that she and her child have been the victims of verbal harassment by that city park employee.
On the fireworks issue, Daniels said they were fired off so often in his neighborhood around and even after the 4th of July that it kept him awake at night and disturbed his pet dog. Daniels said it amounts to disturbing the peace.
“Places I have lived in the past you could not do that in the city. If you want to go out on the farm and do it that’s your business, but not in the city. Apparently here you can. I don’t think its right. Look at this and see if something can be done,” said Daniels.
While there are no city codes or ordinances in place to restrict the firing of fireworks except in the central business district, public complaints could be addressed under the city’s ordinance regulating excessive noise but typically discharging fireworks is expected nightly up until around 10 or 10:30 p.m. within the 4th of July holiday time period.
As for the complaints about Green Brook Park, Hargrave said park rules are so strictly enforced by these park attendants that kids aren’t allowed to run, get loud, and have fun. Hargrave claims she and her friends have also been told that they can’t sit at the gazebo or shelters unless they make a donation.
“Green Brook Park is a beautiful place for our kids to play and its not right for them to be treated like that. We need new park employees,” she said.
Hargrave said the park seems to be more for the elderly than kids in that no bikes, skateboards, or rollerblades are allowed. She also said that the park attendants should not be allowed to drive in and park their personal vehicles by the shelters because that could pose a safety hazard.
“After you called me I contacted the public works director and he has addressed the situation with the park employees. Since then two of them, on the night shift and weekend shift, have resigned but not the day shift employee,” said Mayor Josh Miller.