Fireworks

Your article on the $430,000 fine that the Coastal Commission levied against the Goodell family reads more like an editorial than a factual news report. The article's title, "Consultant calls fine 'excessive'" (Jan. 19), seems more concerned about presenting the violator's unhappiness with the fine than with the egregious nature of the violation. The article made no mention of the fact that the Coastal Commission voted 10 to 1 to fine the Goodell family for the unlawful and unpermitted excavation in land that is a 9,000-year-old archaeological site and ancient Native American cemetery.

The Huntington Beach City Council voted Tuesday to lift the ban on the usage and sale of so-called "safe-and-sane fireworks" during the Fourth of July holiday for a trial period of two years, despite strong opposition from the police and fire chiefs and dozens of residents who spoke in opposition. The council approved the ordinance with a 5-2 vote, with Councilwoman Connie Boardman and Councilman Joe Shaw dissenting. "I'm going to work as hard as I can ... to repeal it," Boardman said.

I am responding to your Huntington Beach City Council fireworks debate article in last week's edition of the Independent ( "Council ignites fireworks debate," Dec. 22). Our family has lived downtown on 14th Street for 11 years, and I am appalled that Mayor Don Hansen wants to legalize fireworks for the Fourth of July. His comments and actions reflect a lack of knowledge of what occurs downtown on the Fourth. The fireworks are already out of control. Connie Boardman's quote that it is a war zone is correct.

It was with much disappointment that I read about the City Council lifting the ban on fireworks in last week's Independent ( "Council ignites fireworks debate," Dec. 22). Despite the fact that the police and fire departments (who know a lot more about public safety than anyone on the council) opposed the proposal, the council has the nerve to move ahead anyway. Everyone knows Southern California is prone to fires, so why make it easier to ignite one? The city has a big enough job now cleaning up after the crowds on the Fourth of July weekends.

Despite strong opposition from both the fire and police chiefs, the Huntington Beach City Council voted Monday to draft an ordinance that would lift the ban on the sale and usage of fireworks during the Fourth of July season. "I'm your fire chief and I'm here to tell you, they're dangerous," Chief Patrick McIntosh said. "They pose a threat. " The proposal passed 5 to 2, putting Huntington Beach on track to become the only beach city in Southern California that would allow the sale and use of state-approved fireworks.

Huntington Beach Mayor Don Hansen's proposal to lift the ban on safe and sane fireworks in the city on the Fourth of July has residents split, with some welcoming it and others worried that the fireworks could create an added problem. The proposal is one of the first on Hansen's to-do list while serving as mayor for the next year. "It's a traditional activity that goes part and parcel with this holiday," he said. "I love tradition, I love nostalgia, and I love things that make celebrating our independence fun for family.

Bob Mandic has always had a front-row seat to the annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade. Growing up on Main Street, Mandic's family would stay home for the holiday to watch the parade from his front yard. When he got into his teens, Mandic said, he would sell soda pop for a couple of nickels to the parade watchers. He also watched the parade for several years from the inside out. As a city councilman and a mayor in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mandic was part of the parade.

Here she comes. Miss America. Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, will be the grand marshal of this year’s Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade. This will be the first Surf City parade in its 105 years that has been graced by a reigning queen. The parade marks the city’s 100th anniversary, and will feature a number of special touches to highlight the celebration. “The fireworks show is going to be longer this year, because of the centennial,” parade representative Connie Young said.

These days, residents awaiting the 104th Annual Fourth of July Parade and Celebration expect fireworks, pancake breakfasts, family fun and lots of proudly marching community groups. But little more than a decade ago, they also expected rowdiness, unrest — even riots. The 1993 and ’94 holidays saw furniture burnt in the streets, bottles and rocks thrown at police and cars, and crowds of hundreds throwing fireworks, according to newspaper articles from the time. In 1996, more than 500 people were arrested in an attempt to forestall unrest, but crowds complained at the next City Council meeting that police had been too aggressive, according to a Los Angeles Times article.