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Dunmore officials weigh safety of proposed fireworks at Jog for Jude and respond to door‑to‑door vendor complaints
Summary
Fire Chief DeNaples expressed concerns about fireworks at the Jog for Jude event, citing past ash and debris complaints; council asked the chief to discuss safety with organizers. Separately, council agreed with Solicitor Michael Perry on a case‑by‑case approach to complaints about door‑to‑door vendors, including letters to organizations and permit revocation if issues persist.
DUNMORE — Public‑safety officials and councilmembers discussed two community‑safety topics at the April 14 meeting: the use of fireworks at the upcoming Jog for Jude event and resident complaints about aggressive door‑to‑door vendors.
Fire Chief DeNaples told council he is “not in favor of it personally” when asked about fireworks at the Jog for Jude event on borough property, citing past calls and reports of ash and debris on nearby buildings and cars. He requested guidance before a committee meeting on Wednesday so he could advise organizers: “What I’m looking for from Council is maybe some commentary, some guidance on this to get into that meeting because I know this is Borough property.” Councilmembers repeatedly said they would back the chief’s safety judgment and suggested alternatives such as a light show.
On a separate issue, council heard numerous resident complaints about door‑to‑door vendors who approached homes without clear identification and behaved aggressively. Solicitor Michael Perry advised handling complaints case by case: send a letter to the vendor organization warning about behavior, and if complaints continue the borough can revoke the vendor’s permit. Perry recommended police ask vendors to produce the permits they are required to carry while soliciting.
Councilmembers asked borough staff to verify whether current vendors have permits and to publish guidance urging residents to report encounters and check for identification. "If they don't have it, send them on their way," Mayor Conway said when discussing police checks for permits.
Next steps: Chief DeNaples will confer with organizers at the Wednesday meeting and circle back to council on fireworks plans; borough solicitor advised an initial letter to vendor organizations followed by permit revocation if issues persist. Staff will verify permits and post guidance for residents to report aggressive solicitors to police.
