Even after a compromise, even after a change on a re-done final reading, even after seeing images of horses hurt by fireworks, members of the Laurens County Council deadlocked, again, on a fireworks-specific ordinance advanced by farmers and ranchers in Northern Laurens County.
For most of last year, the Council debated and considered various forms of the proposed ordinance. One more-restrictive form was struck down on first reading. One form made it all the way to final reading, before fireworks and residential property rights proponents succeeded in striking it down. The latest form passed Council on a 3-2-1-1 vote, then a few minutes later was struck down on a 3-3 vote (a tie means the ordinance fails).
Then, last Monday night, the Council rescinded last month’s vote, and voted again – with the same result. Last month, Council Member Brown Patterson was absent, so the ordinance failed 3-3. On Monday, Council Member Justin Lane was absent, so the ordinance failed 3-3…