MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Residents attended a town meeting on May 3 designed to aid City Council members in deciding the future of the sale and discharge of legal fireworks within the city limits.
Police Chief Scott Smith and Deputy Fire Chief Steve Sherman facilitated the public meeting, providing citizens with information about the current city fireworks code.
“The point of us being here tonight is really to do most of the listening,” Smith said. “All of the data collected indicates clearly that the city wants to ban fireworks, but that decision will be up to the Council.”
Bans on fireworks in neighboring jurisdictions as well as concern over noise and fire potential contributed to the Council’s decision to review the city’s fireworks policy in fall 2005. An informal poll sent in utility billings was used to survey public opinion. Of the 1,129 valid responses received in Dec. 2005, 57 percent favored banning legal fireworks and 43 percent opposed a potential ban.
A combination of those passionately in support of a ban and those passionately against one addressed their city officials, city staff, neighbors and peers at the May 3 meeting.
The Council was scheduled to discuss a possible fireworks ban on Thursday, which is after the Enterprise’s deadline. If the Council decided Thursday to pursue the matter, they will likely take action in June. Notices will be posted at city hall and at www.ci.mlt.wa.gov.
Judi Farrar, 60, shared her experiences with having to stay home, tranquilize her pets and miss out on sleep due to fireworks.
“I dread it every year,” she said. “I hate the Fourth of July.”
Cindy Keogh, 43, expressed opposite sentiments. “I enjoy shooting off fireworks every year,” she said. “The people who are upset about the noise, the hazards should realize those aren’t going to stop. People are going to go out to the reservation and they’re still going to shoot things into your yard. The only people (a ban) will make a serious difference to are those who buy legal fireworks and enjoy them in their own front yard.”
Several people, including John Clement, 44, spoke about participating in traditional neighborhood block parties.
“Everyone brings a broom to my house, we light off fireworks and we have a great time. It’s part of America and we need to keep it,” he said. “I don’t want to have to sit in front of the TV or have to drive to Seattle to see fireworks.”
Although no major fireworks incidents have occurred in the city since 2002, worry over potential fire and the safety of children, property and pets is shared by many, especially the police and fire departments who enlist reserve officers to handle one of their busiest days of the year.
“We pray, we honestly hope for rain on the Fourth of July because it does reduce the fire danger and calls for service,” Sherman said. “A ban on fireworks has to be accompanied by an educational component and a vigorous law enforcement component. We can’t just ban (fireworks) and think that all the problems will go away. It’s an effort that would involve everyone.”
Citizens like Erin Lane, 27, are hopeful that the Council will take any necessary steps to make a decision that’s in the city’s best interest.
“On one side it’s patriotic and a neighborhood time and on the other side, you have people who have dealt with or are concerned about property loss and noise issues,” Lane said. “I would ask the Council to please stop and research and decide if in the long run, (a ban) is going to be something that will make a dramatic impact.”
According to Councilwoman Angela Amundson, the Council must eventually vote on whether or not to ban fireworks in Mountlake Terrace.
“I have experienced pretty much everything that was brought up — the good and the bad,” Amundson said. “I need to vote my own conscience.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
