Editor,
We have read and agree with what Rick Hauser wrote in his letter to the Reflector in the July 17 paper, and we feel it is time to go one step further. It is time to ban fireworks altogether. In years gone by, fireworks were different than they are now, and the population was considerably less. Today fireworks are bombs, and some are multiple explosions, one right after another. It is impossible for one to sleep through these, especially for the elderly and infirm. And they are not just on the night of the Fourth. They start as soon as it is legal to sell them and last for several days after they are supposed to end. With the amount and size of those being set off, the debris and pollution get worse each year, and seldom do those shooting them take the time and effort to clean the streets. And it is not possible for the city to do the job, and even if we do go out and clean the street in front of our home, the rest of the street goes uncleaned. And what about the air pollution from all the explosions that make it impossible to go outside and breathe clean air the next morning. So where do all those pollutants go? That’s right, directly into our streams and rivers.
And let’s not forget the impact on our pets and wildlife. All the damage done is not possible to document. But what we do see and record is heartbreaking. Dogs and cats that go berzerk. Wild animals that panic and get injured trying to find a safe place to hide. And consider the veterans that have post-traumatic stress disorder and go into panic remembering the battles they were in. And we should stop to consider all those who are injured using these fireworks or being injured by someone else using them.
There was a time when celebrating the Fourth of July was about celebrating the founding of our nation. Do you remember when communities had picnicks and games in a park? Neighborhoods got together to socialize and potluck. But now it seems that the celebration is only about setting off bombs.
It is time that the City of Battle Ground follow the example of Vancouver and Camas and ban the sale, possession and use of all fireworks. We need to go back to celebrating our nation and teaching our children what the celebration is all about, and that should not be fireworks.
Carl and Mari Kae Mullen
Battle Ground
