ROME – Rome's mayor has banned New Year's fireworks in the city, where many may already feel there's little to celebrate given a bout of recent problems.
City Hall said Thursday Mayor Virginia Raggi signed an ordinance banning the use of fireworks from Dec. 29 through Jan. 1 within 200 meters (yards) of residential areas, persons or animals. Violators risk fines up to 500 euros ($525).
Romans often celebrate New Year's by shooting off fireworks from balconies, rooftops or even the middle of residential streets.
With new scandals emerging almost daily in Raggi's shaky six-month-old administration, Romans have little lately to celebrate. Mass transit is plagued by strikes and breakdown-prone buses. This week financial watchdog authorities said the debt-ridden city's proposed budget was poorly prepared.
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