PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Beach's new fireworks ordinance fizzled again this week.
The City Council continued to tinker with a proposed ordinance that sought to better define the number of times fireworks could be legally fired off within city limits.
But differences of opinion sparked the air. The fuse was still damp, so to speak.
Council members Ken Nelson and Jeff Ferguson staked out wide positions on Thursday between allowing more of less fireworks displays, a difference of opinion that has been reflected in the ordinance's various incarnations over the past several weeks.
In April, members tentatively approved a version that would have permitted businesses only two permits for fireworks displays each year.
By the time the rules were back for a final vote on Thursday, the two-permit limit had been purged and the council was back to historical practices -- in effect, individuals or businesses wishing to conduct a professional fireworks display could receive an unlimited number of permits during the year.
The unlimited position was championed by Ferguson, who maintained he didn't want to unduly impinge on the rights of businesses.
Nelson, championing the rights of Beach homeowners to live in peace, said the widespread use of noisy fireworks was becoming a nuisance, especially during the summer months. He advocated a tighter control of the practice.
On Thursday, council members delayed voting on the latest proposed ordinance that would have allowed an unlimited opportunity to apply for permits, as long as the display ended by 10 p.m.
Instead, members opted for a compromise offered by Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst that would prohibit displays Sunday through Thursday. Otherwise, businesses would be allowed unlimited Friday and Saturday permits, as well as during murkily defined "special occasions," as long as the fireworks ended by 10 p.m.
The new ordinance also makes it harder for several businesses located at the same location to apply for separate permits.
Barring further developments, the freshly fueled ordinance should be ready for liftoff at the council's next regularly scheduled meeting at 2 p.m. May 28.