By Marty Englander
Fire is our biggest natural fear here in Lake County. We all know that our hot, dry summers leave us vulnerable to wildfires and other fires. That is one of the reasons sales and possession of fireworks was banned in Lake County. Now it appears that the seller of fireworks wants to challenge the ordinance that makes sales of fireworks in Lakeport illegal.
Make no mistake. It is much less expensive to challenge a law in a small community such as Lakeport than in a larger area. This big business has used our children to wage their fight in a community that is extremely endangered every summer. They have convinced certain organizations that the only way they can fund their programs is through the sale of fireworks during the hot summer months, around the Fourth of July holiday. They only care about their profits and not our community. Why should they profit at our expense?
We take care of our children in Lake County. We support them and their programs. Yes, a big income once a year is enticing, but usually there are community activities, fairs and carnivals occurring around the Fourth of July. There are many other things that can be sold at these events, such as flags, hot dogs, candy corn, light-up jewelry and even those poppers that have replaced firecrackers in the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco”s Chinatown. There are no firecrackers at the parade any more, just the poppers that make noise, but no sparks.
The so-called “safe and sane” fireworks are neither safe nor sane. Every year people, mostly children, get injured using these devices. And yes, fires do get started. I lost my home to a fire started by fireworks several years ago and know firsthand what devastation is caused. In this community, it is likely that if a fire is ignited during our hot summer months, it will not burn just one house.
It is for the above reasons that I strongly urge those of you who will vote Nov. 3 to use safety and sanity and oppose Measure C. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Keep all of Lake County safe.
Marty Englander
Member South Lake Fire Safe Council
