Citing 'intrusion' into private lives, New Albany mayor vetoes ordinance setting fireworks restrictions

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Some New Albany residents won't get the peace and quiet they were hoping for.

On Wednesday, Mayor Jeff Gahan vetoed a bill that would have restricted when someone could set off fireworks in the city.

The city council passed the ordinance, which would have only allowed fireworks to be set off around the Fourth of July and New Year's, five votes to four in August.

New Albany Fireworks Ordinance — Proposed New Albany fireworks ordinance, which was vetoed by Mayor Jeff Gahan on Thursday, Sept. 4.

"The 5-4 split council vote to ban legal fireworks is an intrusion into the private lives of our citizens and could silence the joy of many important occasions, like weddings, birthdays and holidays," Gahan said in a statement.

"I'm disappointed but frankly it was a close vote to begin with and there were valid arguments to be made on both sides of the fence on this one," said city councilman Al Knable, who wrote the ordinance.

Gahan also said that it would create confusion between the city's police and residents, adding "the proposed ordinance is impossible to enforce."

Council could overturn the veto with 6 votes but that's not expected to occur.

"I now know who to forward my complaint calls to with regards to fireworks noises," Knable said. "We'll send them down to downtown."