Dear Editor,
We are surrounded by very early summer fires, and advised not to
go outside because of all the smoke in the skies over Gilroy. YET,
I see fireworks stands going up! Where is the common sense? What
happened to the leadership of our local politicians?
Dear Editor,
We are surrounded by very early summer fires, and advised not to go outside because of all the smoke in the skies over Gilroy. YET, I see fireworks stands going up! Where is the common sense? What happened to the leadership of our local politicians?
Georgia Fuller, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
Ken Pauley is the epitome of paranoia. He CHOOSES to live in a fire-prone area, where fireworks are already banned and lightning – lightning, not fireworks, Ken – started a fire, and wants to foist his will upon those of us who live in town.
He is willing to sacrifice freedom for a little temporary safety, and thus, in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “deserves neither.” Like Hollister, San Juan, Salinas, and countless other nearby cities, Gilroy has been wise to keep fireworks all these years, despite the paranoia. The “previous disasters” (i.e. home fires, not brush) that Pauley whines about were not caused by the fireworks he wants to ban. The bottle rocket that landed on the wood roof was already illegal, and can easily be set off undetected from a backyard. Perhaps Pauley would like, in the name of “security” to or “safety,” to abolish the Fourth Amendment as well.
Alan Viarengo, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
I totally support the Gilroy City Council banning fireworks.
As dry as it is, why take any more chances.
Gary Kidwell, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
Cheers to the members of the City Council for considering a quick ban on fireworks this year!
When I submitted my letter to the editor the other day I was not aware this was already being considered and was happy to hear it.
This would be a bold move and I do understand that it would greatly impact some of the non-profits that depend on this revenue, but the risk is just too great and as a community I solve their revenue problems in other ways.
The arguments from Councilman Dion Bracco and Craig Gartman are really strange; you cannot predict what will happen in the future based on past incidents, and besides, there are incidents where safe and sane fireworks have caused fires.
Additionally, the “ban” on them in rural areas does not magically make them not work in these areas, trust me, I see them going off every year. Why not eliminate one variable from this dangerous situation we are in? The only downside is there may be some revenue lost. I’d rather see that than one house burn from a safe and sane fireworks. If this is not banned this year (again, I would support it, but can understand the politics behind not moving quickly) PLEASE make sure we plan ahead on this and make this year the LAST year for fireworks in Gilroy.
Ken Pauley, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
In this time of economic depression, this is just something else to bring down the spirit of Americans not to celebrate their annual pastime. Banning the community fireworks fundraising? Making it harder for hard-working Americans and their families to just sit around to ponder and do nothing.
Some families can’t afford to drive anywhere else to enjoy this hard-fought celebration we most certainly deserve to enjoy. The thought to deprive our kids of their fund-raisers and make it much harder for mom and dad to come up with the cash would only hurt them in the long run.
Nobody likes to tell their kids “we cant afford to do this for you.” That’s the whole purpose of fundraising, so that the kids have an opportunity to do something for themselves.
I guess that’s what the City Council or at least some would like to tell us. We’re all trying weather the storm of these economic times, but don’t take freedom from us and put us in a position where our kids suffer as well.
There are safe and sane people living in this town who are responsible enough not to let things get out of hand. It’s a small percentage who aren’t. For those who live in the areas that are vulnerable to fire, do more to protect yourselves – you chose to live there anyway, plus you may not be feeling that economic pinch as others are.
The Fourth of July is a day Americans can feel proud and can say that “we will survive” and handle anything the world throws at us. To those on the City Council who oppose the sale of fireworks, I hope you can live with the decision that is un-American and you should credit the community for the revenue lost to fundraising – which you’re not prepared to do. Plus, there is the possibility of more illegal fireworks being lit up that night that would be more enjoyable than the same old dud the city displays.
I am open for discussion, though you may not like the real response, the real freedom of speech. God bless the United States of America and happy Fourth of July.
Shawn Lopez, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
One would think that after all these years of protests that youth groups and a church would find a more responsible way to raise money.
Kay Spencer, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
Although it would be sad not to be able to enjoy safe and sane fireworks in my neighborhood, I agree that due to the current dry conditions, fireworks should be temporarily banned this upcoming Fourth of July. Surely the citizens of Gilroy can find their way to the city sponsored fireworks display.
Kim Joe, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
Ban fireworks? Are you nuts? Fireworks and the Fourth of July are an American tradition. Fireworks should not be canceled for the behavior of the minority, the majority use fireworks responsibly.
Having been born in Gilroy in 1954 and lived my whole life there until 1993, leave a hometown tradition alone. People are too quick with these knee jerk reactions like today’s Dispatch editorial online.
Paul W. Johnson
Dear Editor,
What? “Alas, it’s time to suspend the sale of fireworksI” I believe the Gilroy Dispatch is dead wrong to want to ban the sale of fireworks in the city of Gilroy.
Aside from the concessions that you mention in your editorial, where would ALL the organizations raise the money that comes from the sale of fireworks?
It’s time to stop bowing to the special interest groups that want to put a stop to the sales of fireworks and help support the organizations the make this community who we are.
Keith Huddleston, Gilroy
Dear Editor,
I agree that this year Gilroy should band fireworks due to our recent fire activity and it can be discussed in depth at a later time as to whether we continue selling them or not.
Lori Toste, Gilroy
