Banning fireworks not about freedom of speech

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, July 10, 2019

I couldn’t agree more with Nick Matras’ July 6 letter to The Herald calling for an outright ban of fireworks in all of Snohomish County. And, he’s correct. This has nothing to do with freedom of speech or expression. It has to do with the right of the majority to enjoy the celebration of Independence Day without suffering through World War III in our neighborhoods.

The damage to property, life and limb and our panic-stricken pets is well documented. We live in unincorporated Snohomish County and these ear splitting “bombs” go off days before, during and days after the Fourth of July. The people who set off this assault on our peace of mind apparently have no regard for others in their neighborhoods.

There are plenty of authorized fireworks displays around the area and as far as I know they are free to watch. It’s time for our so-called county leaders to grow some spines and ban fireworks county wide. I’m sure our friends at Tulalip may not appreciate this but all they have to do is set up a few more gambling sites and they can easily make up the lost revenue.

Mike Shouse

Edmonds