BENTON, AR --
This is one of those extremely rare moments: a fireworks stand -- all packed up -- before the Fourth of July!But Stefan Jones doesn't have a choice.
"It's a bummer. We're pretty sad about it because we really look forward to it. It's fun for us to do it," Jones said.
Even though Jones purchased a business permit, she can't sell because of a Benton city ordinance that requires fireworks vendors to shut down when a burn ban is in place.
For her, it's a summer tradition now interrupted.
"It makes total sense. I don't want to sell to kids and get them all excited about shooting them off just for the burn ban to continue and they not be able to shoot them," said Jones.
"Mother Nature is in control of what goes on and we have to abide by the rules and that's what we have to do," Benton Mayor David Mattingly said.
Mattingly said the ordinance passed last year in an effort to protect everyone in the city.
But in Monday night's city council meeting, council members voted to refund vendors for their permits if the ban remains in effect by July 7th.
"I understand that it's sentimental. A lot of it has to do with holiday and the celebration of independence for our country, but these conditions are very, very dire," Mattingly said.
Jones hopes it doesn't come to that.
"We're praying for rain."
