Dear Editor, Allowing
”
safe-and-sane
”
fireworks makes it impossible for the police and fire
departments to enforce the ban on illegal fireworks.
It’s Long Past Time For The City of Gilroy to Change its Fireworks Ordinance
Dear Editor,
Allowing “safe-and-sane” fireworks makes it impossible for the police and fire departments to enforce the ban on illegal fireworks. This year, we could see illegal aerial fireworks in the development behind us from our second-floor bedroom window pretty much non-stop from 8 to 11pm. We did call the non-emergency police/fire number, and there was a short pause in the action. It’s not clear whether officers showed up and the activity resumed after they left, or whether they didn’t make it there at all. Given the report in Friday’s Dispatch of more than 140 calls, I doubt that authorities could have responded to them all.
A couple of years ago the fire department recommended a ban on all fireworks. This is the right approach. The city council, however, caved in to the nonprofits who earn substantial income from the sale of the fireworks, and took no action.
The council should act now to ban all fireworks. By acting this summer the council can put the nonprofits on notice that they must find alternative means of raising funds next year. The benefit to a small, select handful of nonprofits of a relatively easy and guaranteed means of raising funds is far outweighed by the disruption to neighborhoods, frightened pets, debris left on the streets, and far more importantly, the risk of fire, injury, and loss of limb caused by illegal fireworks hiding amongst the legal.
The fact that Gilroy is the only city in Santa Clara County that allows fireworks should make the point. Let’s ban all fireworks in Gilroy now, and thereby give the police and fire departments the support they need to properly do their jobs.
Mike Christie, Gilroy
Proposed Water Park is a Good Idea, but Not on Scenic Hecker Pass
Dear Editor,
I have no quarrel with a water park, nor a six-story hotel; however, such things should be strategically placed just off U.S. 101 near the Outlets, Pacheco Pass or even Masten Avenue. A water park would be a wonderful attraction (and revenue generator) for our city, BUT NOT ON HECKER PASS. To have hordes of cars crossing through already over-crowded city streets is NOT a sound decision, no matter how much money developers throw at the city council.
I urge the council to disregard any offer, no matter how high, that allows our rural portion on and near Hecker Pass to become over-developed. There is no amount of money worth losing our precious open spaces, nor our family-oriented Gilroy Gardens. Just look at Great America. I refuse to take my family there because of the oppressive crowds and filthy language.
To our city leaders in whom we’ve entrusted the care and well-being of our public interests, please understand that WE CARE about this issue and we DO NOT WANT water parks and hotels anywhere near Hecker Pass.
Others who see this potential acquisition as a way to fast track other city projects are short-sighted. It’s better to wait for a building or a project than speed it up at the expense of a local treasure.
Laurie Weber, Gilroy
