Mailbag: Sparks fly in fireworks debate

It was with much disappointment that I read about the City Council lifting the ban on fireworks in last week’s Independent (“Council ignites fireworks debate,” Dec. 22).

Despite the fact that the police and fire departments (who know a lot more about public safety than anyone on the council) opposed the proposal, the council has the nerve to move ahead anyway.

Everyone knows Southern California is prone to fires, so why make it easier to ignite one? The city has a big enough job now cleaning up after the crowds on the Fourth of July weekends. Why add to it and increase the significant threat of fires and injuries?

Apparently the council would not even consider a poll of the community to get input on this subject. Are we to believe public opinion is of no value? The only voice I have is with the vote — and the council members who favored this item will be getting one less vote next time.

Huntington Beach already has a world class Fourth of July Parade and a terrific fireworks show near the beach every year. Be proud of what we have.

Howard L. Davis

Huntington Beach

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Mayor turns a deaf ear to chiefs

As residents of Huntington Beach for 45 years, we currently enjoy the peace of mind on the Fourth of July. The parade is huge and the celebration goes on for days.

Before the ban, when we had the fireworks, in our neighborhood off Goldenwest Street and Slater Avenue, we had to rinse down our roof so as not to have a fire ... even with a fireproof shingled roof. We have wooden fences and lots of palm trees that act as torches.

What is Don Hansen thinking? Does he own stock in a firecracker company? Is he ill-advised? Who is the guy who doesn’t listen to both the fire chief and police chief? He doesn’t listen to advice from a grand jury. I guess it’s time to vote some of these inexperienced, uneducated people out of office.

The fireworks come in a box that says “safe and sane,” yet many children, homes and businesses are burned every Fourth. Ask those people what’s safe and sane about that.

If fireworks are allowed on the beach, there’s not enough trash cans to pick up the debris. Sparkers on wires create a safety hazard for months when left in the sand, and then the runoff from the trash goes into the ocean.

We’ve raised four children in HB and now have 10 grandchildren. I would hate for an accident to happen to any of my family or anyone else’s as a result of being lax about laws keeping these inflammatory devices, whether legal or illegal, in our community.

Brenda Welch

Huntington Beach

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Boardman right about resident survey

Excuse me, but why are five City Council members going against the recommendations of the fire chief, the police chief, a former grand jury and the 67% of the residents who said in a 1987 survey they wanted fireworks banned?

Who are these council members representing, and what are the benefits of lifting the ban? Do these five people think they know better than all the experts and residents who have a different opinion? Why can’t a current survey of residents be included in the water bill, as Connie Boardman suggested?

We’re opening the city to a dangerous situation and potential lawsuits. I thought our council members were supposed to represent their constituents. Lifting the ban needs to be revisited.

Michele Burgess

Huntington Beach

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Fourth already festive enough

This was an amazing vote — totally at odds with common sense. It was opposed by both our fire and police chiefs. It will be a real danger to our residents.

We already have a great traditional Fourth capped by the largest parade west of the Mississippi and a wonderful fireworks display at the beach.

We do not need “safe and sane” fireworks. We need safe and sane City Council members.

Alison Goldenberg

Huntington Beach

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Follow the money on council vote

Mayor Don Hansen is out of his mind. Has he imagined what our peaceful city would look like and sound like if 200,000 visitors set off fireworks on the Fourth of July? Has he thought of the cost of cleanup and the impact on our environment? I think his secret agenda is the windfall of sales tax to the city on the sale of fireworks.

Huntington Beach is patriotic enough without fireworks.

Bent A. Christensen

Huntington Beach