HomeMy WebLinkAbout032326 email - Fireworks workshopALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
I am responding today about last weeks fireworks workshop. First of all I want to say how disappointed I was in the behavior of one of our commissioners, arguing with the invited participants
on everything they had to say. It was childish and unbecoming in my opinion, and were it to have been one of my children in the day they would have been sent to their room until they
could apologize for their behavior! I was embarrassed to have listened to it, we can and should do better!
I think there were several ideas that came out of the discussion that could be helpful, Sheriff Pernsteiner stated that being in possession of fireworks is not the same as lighting fireworks
for enforcement purposes and he stated he didn’t feel good about the current fine of a 1st offense being $1000. Not only does it need rewritten for ease of enforcement but why not start
with the smaller fine being imposed for possession, educate and then make the bigger fine for the bigger violation of lighting the fireworks. Larger fines give pause to doing the deed
and should be a deterrent. To help with enforcement it only seems rational that the fire officials have the authority to issue citations, what will it take to make that happen? We cannot
disregard illegal acts just because it’s difficult to enforce, people drink and drive, do we ignore it? Of course not!
Fireworks are not a requirement of celebration, there are many other ways to celebrate without the practice of intentionally blowing things up. Those harmed and inconvenienced are more
than those that feel like their rights are being violated by the removal of this outdated “tradition”. Seatbelts and no smoking in public buildings are two things that in the beginning
were hard and are now routine! We can do this, and be better for it. I have talked to people who don’t want to speak up because they have been harassed when they expressed their support
of a ban, how sad is that? I myself saw online a post about a voodoo doll in my name to be poked with needles, I guess just another tradition?
The fireworks being discussed are not simple consumer fireworks, they are potentially wired bombs! I spoke with the fireworks division of the WSP and it is illegal in all cases to modify
a consumer firework. There is no path forward for a local consumer fireworks show as the fireworks are illegal the moment they are modified. If the county allows a permit they assume
the liability unless it is a licensed insured professional show with a trained licensed professional running it. Is the county really going to add this to their list of liabilities??
I have heard asked how about winter when it isn’t so dry? Still illegal. So the present situation where fireworks are held from the 4th of July to NYE, yep, still illegal! We talk
a lot about enforcement but if you know the players, and you do, address it in advance, educate, and if it still happens? Well… Several years ago I suggested that we have a way to report
violations much like they do with other circumstances using recorded video that can be followed up on later. Both of these options should make enforcement easier on JCSO, along with
fire officials being able to write citations the bottleneck on the sheriffs department is much easier to handle.
In closing, your consideration of the people including veterans with PTSD, the elderly with aggravated health concerns, our pets, wild animals and the birds many of whom won’t have a
voice in your decisions would be most appreciated.
I look forward to to your further discussions
Shellie Yarnell
Sent from my iPhone