Lake Stevens fireworks protested

Published 10:48 pm Friday, May 2, 2008

LAKE STEVENS — A mother who lost her son to a fireworks accident told city officials his death is a good reason to reduce the times fireworks are allowed, or to ban them altogether.

Glenda Lynch lost her son Shane, 13, in 1999 when he was hit in the head by a mortar-style firework. The accident happened near Lake Roesiger in east Snohomish County.

“I don’t want to see that happen to anyone else,” Lynch said.

In a preliminary vote, the City Council voted 6-1 Monday to allow fireworks on July 4 only. Fireworks are currently allowed during certain hours from June 28 through July 5, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

The reduction, if given final approval, would not take effect until 2009. The council plans to consider the issue again May 12 and perhaps take a final vote.

The city considered the change after receiving ongoing complaints the past few years, officials said. Noise problems and the length of time fireworks may be used in the city have been sources of annoyance.

The city has had three hearings and an open house on the issue in the past six months.

The city considered a total ban, which drew opposition, city administrator Jan Berg said.

“They just wanted to have the ability on the Fourth of July to discharge their fireworks to celebrate,” Berg said.

Resident Jeff Craig said he agreed with the decision to limit fireworks use to July 4, although he would have liked to see New Year’s Eve legal, too.

“A few bad apples spoil the bunch,” he said.

City Councilman Tom Hartwell said he considered proposing to still allow fireworks on New Year’s Eve, but noted that they’re not allowed that day under county rules.

“Half the lake’s controlled by the county. That’s a double standard, and we need to have a single standard.”

Most cities either limit fireworks to holidays or ban them outright. In unincorporated Snohomish County, setting off fireworks is allowed from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. July 4 only.

Still, “I think we still need to celebrate the Fourth. There’s some entertainment value there and some expression of patriotism there,” Hartwell said.

Councilwoman Heather Coleman was the lone “no” vote. She said many residents e-mailed the city asking for a total ban, and she agreed.

Either way, she said, 10 days is way too long to allow fireworks.

“The amount of disruption to other people doesn’t warrant it,” she said.

Craig said the emphasis should be on parental supervision, and said perhaps an age limit should be set at 14 or 16 and strongly enforced.

Lynch, a Lake Stevens resident and school bus driver for the Snohomish School District, goes to school assemblies to talk about the dangers of fireworks. Her son was in a coma for 13 days before he was removed from life support, she said.

The type of firework that killed him, a mortar shot from a cylinder, can be purchased and used legally in Lake Stevens and many other places in Washington, Police Chief Randy Celori said.

“You can buy mortars at any stand,” Lynch said.

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.