Members sought for ORV and fireworks committees

Scott Csernyik

8/16/2005 12:00:00 AM

About a dozen Saginaw Chippewa Tribal members are needed to fill two separate committees concerning off-road vehicles and fireworks on the Isabella Reservation.

The action stemmed from a recent public hearing which addressed the two topics. During a July 7 special meeting, Tribal Council approved a motion made by District 1 Tribal Council Representative Brenda Champlin to post sign-up sheets at Tribal Operations with interested individuals providing a letter of interest, credentials and qualifications.

On June 28, about two dozen community members commented on two proposed ordinances which addressed off-road vehicle safety, as well as the sale and storage for sale of fireworks.

Several Isabella Reservation residents felt the ordinances impacted Tribal sovereignty, while others stated something needed to be on the books for enforcement purposes. Others, like Tribal Elder Ruby Weatherall, wanted something done about the "misuse of fireworks and the safety issue" although the purpose of the public hearing only concerned the sale and storage for sale of pyrotechnics.

Weatherall presented Tribal Council several spent rockets she said she found "10 steps from the front of the garage door."

"What if they went on my roof and started a fire while I was asleep," she said. "These fireworks usually happen after I go to bed at night. It's become the Fourth of July every night."

Richard "Moose" Quigno said he would like to see more "community member involvement" in regards to the issue.

"Everybody knows me and my brothers put on a show," he said. "Safety is our No. 1 concern. What we need is community members on a committee to develop an ordinance tailored to Saginaw Chippewa needs."

Representatives from the two fireworks businesses on the Isabella Reservation were also in attendance.

"As far as I am concerned, it [the sale of fireworks] should not be sold in residential areas," said Perry Bailey, president of Showtime Fireworks. Bailey's company sold pyrotechnics in front of a Leaton Road home near Aagimaak Street. "The Tribe has a lot of land and I think it would be better done away from the neighborhoods."

But Stacy Johnson, proprietor of Chippewa Fireworks, defended how she and her fiancee, Adam Letts, have approached the sale of fireworks at the home on Aagimaak Street.

"Because you wanted them out of my garage, we spent $10,000 on a 24- by 30-foot pole barn with 5/8-inch drywall that has been checked by the ATF," she stated. "We don't sell to minors and have everyone sign a liability release form. I will do whatever you guys want. Everybody loves fireworks. We started this business three years ago. Anybody else could have done it over the past 20 years but didn't."

Chip Neyome said the ordinance should be "workable for the people."

"Tribes do different things with fireworks," he said. "Maybe we should have an area where fireworks are legally fired."

Neyome also supported the idea of free enterprise on the Isabella Reservation.

"Tribal members are wanting to start small businesses and the Tribe should support them," he said.

Neyome also commented on the proposed ORV ordinance, which he helped draft several years ago.

"There's been a lot of changes to it," he said. "As it stands right now, it needs a lot of work and more community input."

Neyome pointed out what he thought were several inadequacies, including the requirement of brake lights, as well as having a white light when going in reverse.

Neyome agreed the vehicles need to licensed with the Tribe and have visible numbers on them for identification purposes.