Dona Ana County specialty stores allowed to sell aerial fireworks

Specialty stores in Dona Ana County are now able to sell aerial fireworks to people who live elsewhere. But it’s still illegal to set off aerial fireworks within county lines.

Commissioners voted 4-1 to change the county’s current fireworks ordinance Tuesday. But the vote didn’t come with out some controversy.

Some argued the ordinance change would only benefit one company, Bowlin Travel Centers. Bowlin’s owner said they would see a spike in business if allowed to sell aerial fireworks to tourists passing through.

Commissioner John Vasquez, who proposed the ordinance change, admitted to receiving $2,500 from Bowlin after winning the election. Chairwoman Isabella Solis also admitted to receiving $2,500 from Bowlin as a campaign contribution.

“I was never asked to do this, I did this on my own because I believed it was a step in the right direction,” Vasquez said. “Originally I wanted fireworks to be sold everywhere, but after hearing concerns from the public, I changed it so it wouldn’t change the safe and sane ordinance at all.”

Others were concerned about people outside the county buying aerial fireworks and setting them off inside the county. They feared it’s a safety hazard.

But commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of changing the current ordinance. Those in support said it would help small businesses. Commissioner Billy Garrett was the only commissioner to vote against it.

“I do not believe this item would’ve come up at all if the contributions from Bowlin had not been made to those commissioners. I don’t think we would’ve seen this,” Garrett said.

Tuesday’s vote stipulates that two retailers selling aerial fireworks can’t be within a quarter mile of each other or within 1,000 feet of city limits.