The refusal by Gaffney City Council to even discuss or explore the possibility of an ordinance regarding the sale and/or use of fireworks within the city limits represents a blatant disregard for the wishes of its constituents.

Sometimes a governing body gets so wrapped up in its individual “wish lists” and other single-minded foolishness that some, or many, of them forget why they were elected. Here’s a reminder — to do the will of the people you represent.

The blatant willy-nilly use of explosive devices within the residential areas of the city has risen beyond the level of nuisance to what more closely represents a clear and present danger to city dwellers.

On July 4, excessive and lengthy use of fireworks in various parts of the city resulted in noise pollution, the annoyance of residents and the very real danger of fires and/or other disasters. Some homeowners awakened the next morning (or at least those who were able to get to sleep — some fireworks lasted well past 1 a.m.) to find burned-out bottle rockets and other spent incendiary devices scattered about their yards, shrubberies and roof tops.

City council’s refusal to do something about this reckless use of these dangerous devices is absolutely unacceptable. Last year there were a number of fires and responding emergency personnel were assaulted with fireworks.

Mayor Henry Jolly expressed his frustration after receiving a number of complaints from local residents but other top-level city officials just turned away and shrugged their shoulders.

We hate to predict it, but remember you read it here first — unless something is done, it’s just a matter of time until someone is killed or someone’s residence is destroyed by the irresponsible use of fireworks.

If these elected officials refuse to even consider ways to make the people they represent safer, then why are they in office in the first place?

The time has come to either restrict or completely ban fireworks within the city limits, or the time has come to replace the council.