Wed 8 Oct 2008
I’m With Councilmen Dobbin and Johnson
Posted by Matt McGee under West Richland News
I’m one of the more patriotic people I know, but I have to say up front that Independence Day is one of my least favorite holidays. Not because of what it stands for — I love that, and we fly the U.S. flag proudly on that holiday and every national/patriotic holiday. No, I don’t like Independence Day because of the fireworks displays that many of the houses in my neighborhood put on in their driveways and streets.
It always starts around July 2nd and continues through July 5th. Obviously, it’s worst on the 4th. Every night it sounds like what I imagine a small war to sound like — explosions, screaming whistles, cracks … you know what it sounds like. And we always end up with the detritus in our front yard. It’s a three- or four-day nuisance.
All of this is relevant because the West Richland City Council voted this week to clarify city laws on fireworks:
Legal: sparklers and spinners, multi-aerials, Roman candles and reloadable mortars 13/4 inches or smaller
Illegal: firecrackers and chasers, bottle rockets, missiles and rockets, M80s or larger and cherry bombs
According to the Herald, three council members voted against the updated city law; members Ken Dobbin and Merle Johnson reportedly said fireworks should be illegal.
Amen to that!
Those two are guaranteed to get my vote the next time they’re up for election. Let’s put an end to silly, annoying, and unsafe front-yard fireworks shows. They ruin a perfectly wonderful holiday.
