Ask Mr. Answer Person: "How did Luther College get to shoot off fireworks during a burning ban?"

John e-mails Mr. Answer Person: "Just curious how Luther College was able to obtain a waiver to set off fireworks during a county-wide burning ban.  I was told by authorities there would be no exceptions."

Mr. Answer Person replies: "The City of Decorah has an ordinance regulating fireworks displays.  It discusses 'the issuance of a permit by the City Clerk after suitable application to a properly qualified person ororganization for giving of a pyrotechnic display of fireworks in a public parkor other open places. Such displays shall be of such a character and solocated, discharged or fired as, in the opinion of the chief of the firedepartment, shall not be hazardous to surrounding property or endanger anyperson or persons.'

In other words, Luther College had to apply to the City Clerk's Office for a fireworks permit.  Once they got that permit, it was up to the Fire Chief--not the City Clerk--to contact Luther College if the fireworks display had to be called off.

With two separate authorities involved in regulating fireworks displays, sometimes things slip up--which might have been what happened here.  On the other hand, Mr. Answer Person watched the fireworks display and noticed Luther officials were taking precautions that the embers didn't start any fires.

Some governments--including Winneshiek County--bring fireworks permits up for a vote of the elected officials.  Supporters of that system say it does a better job of supervising fireworks displays.

On the other hand, except for the yearly Nordic Fest fireworks, there are rarely fireworks displays within the City of Decorah.  The Luther fireworks were in celebration of the college's 150th anniversary, so they won't be an annual affair.

Finally, Mr. Answer Person can report that not only was the fireworks display handled safely, but it was one of the best fireworks displays he's seen in years.