Elaine Turnbull
I can't believe the public is so incensed about not having fireworks
in Huntington Beach. We have many more important issues facing us
than that. Also, I'm sure we can find better ways than shooting off
firecrackers to show our patriotic support for "our sons and
daughters serving in harms way in the Middle East" as Barry L.
Williams put it (Sounding Off, March 6.)
My husband and I remember when we had fireworks shot off the end
of the pier in the past. We took our young daughters to the beach to
watch them and spent most of our time trying to avoid the cherry
bombs being thrown by rowdy beach-goers. Some of them were even
thrown from the beach into the nearby restaurant, which at that time
was Maxwells.
I do believe having the fireworks would significantly increase the
cost of police presence in the area, and we have many more important
needs within the city that could be funded with this money. In
addition, by having the fireworks in a large, difficult to supervise
area, we would again encourage the rowdy, destructive and dangerous
behaviors of the past that we have finally gotten under control.
We can certainly celebrate the Fourth of July with our wonderful
parade that is one of the best in the country and brings great credit
and good publicity to our community. Then, in the evening, anyone who
absolutely must see fireworks can drive to a nearby town to view
them.
* ELAINE TURNBULL is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute
to "Sounding Off" e-mail us at hbindy@latimes.com or fax us at (714)
965-7174.
