As elected officers of the Coves of Cimarron Homeowners Board (HOA), we were disturbed by what happened at our park on the 4th of July, as personally witnessed and as reported in the Free Press. The Board obtained a copy of the Ordinance banning the sale and use of all fireworks within 5,000 feet of Buda city limits on July 3, the day of our scheduled monthly meeting. Although the ordinance had been adopted by City Council in August 2013 and amended May 20, 2014, no notice had ever been given directly to the HOA Board that the City intended to ban the USE of fireworks in our subdivision. This was to be the third year in a row that a group of Coves’ residents had been given approval by the Board to put on a fireworks display. The only time the City posted a sign at the entrance to our subdivision warning of a $500 violation was on July 4, 2014, although the ordinance was in effect when fireworks had been shot off in our neighborhood during New Year’s 2013/14. The ordinance was discussed at the July 3 meeting, however, the Board was not informed that some residents had conversations with City staff earlier in the week and had been told the ordinance, as written, did not allow the City to issue permits, although it could be amended for future events.
Blame can be laid on both sides for this unfortunate incident: The City for not giving the Coves notice of their intention to enforce use of fireworks ban in time to work out a compromise. The individuals who put together planned fireworks display for failing to timely contact HOA Board, ignoring advice to work with City Council towards a permit for next year, and refusing to stop firing rockets when asked to do so by police. Furthermore, the combined actions of Buda police and residents at the fireworks display could have resulted in a more serious confrontation. Luckily cooler heads prevailed and the situation ended with no injuries. The Coves is a law-abiding community and we want to keep it that way. We hope our residents will work with the City in order to have a fantastic legal fireworks display in our park on Independence Day 2015.
Ann Moreland, President, Coves HOA Board and Pam Nelson, Treasurer, Coves HOA Board
