Fireworks: The Heat is ON
Some of the Members of the City Council Pretended to give consideration to the work of the Firework Committee when it came to adjusting the days of Sales of Fireworks. However purposely not wanting to suggest that Tom Schwab edits to the same ordinance negated the efforts of that same Committee.
Hmm..
Are Fireworks safer in your neighbors yard or at a public park? Schwab says the Liability Issues for the City should result in closing the Parks from being a Fireworks Fire Zone. BUT it is a risk the CITY can PUT on Citizens at Home. It is an annoyance to neighborhoods with dogs, cats, and other pets. In a park there is not supposed to be consumption of alcohol, safety inspection can be done, and IF the Rest of Grand Terrace were a no fire zone, The Rest of the Community would be Safe.
The Council has no business "Inspecting" the books of the teams as part of their justification of how to regulate the use or no use of fireworks. This is petty reasoning at best. Here is reality. The city will incur a cost to provide services for security of the Fireworks Sales, and Enforcement. That cost will be much greater if the Entire City is a Firework Fire Zone. The cost of house or brush fires could be MUCH greater than the "Damage" possible at one or both of the Parks.
It is a reasonable question to ask how much money is earned by the sale, the risk assumption of the activity and the net balance when off set by the real costs of the sale. (assuming NO tragic events). How would those costs and problems be mitigated by this ordinance, or the alternatives provided by the committee.
But, NO... We see the council accepting without debate the Amendments penciled in at the last moment by Tom Schwab. When was the public allowed to see the "Revised Version of the Committee's Recommendations as Amended by Tom Schwab". It was not on the City Web Page. The Fireworks Committee was not informed of changes, and at the meeting it came up well after 11:00pm after a series of "Presentations" which were intended to dilute the audience in attendance regarding the Threats of ED, Lowes, and Unwanted Development Activities and Practices in the City.
This slipping in the Ordinance and the Tom Schwab changes this way is typical of the operations of this city.
Passing the muster for the developer building 35 homes. More hoops than a 3 ring circus. However, WHO approve the signs of Sav-on.. Come on will any one on the Council Insist that it is Out of Code, Out of Plan, Take it down? No, Jacobsen apparently does not have to be held to the same standards as folks who want to build homes, and condo's. He can install major UGLY right in the middle of town he has been anointed by Tom Schwab.
Fees Increased 300% in two minutes.
Debate about a fence nearly 40 minutes.
Your house burnt down by fireworks. 10 minutes.
How about No Fireworks anywhere EXCEPT at the Park where they are sold and Fired in a controlled safe environment. AND the Teams provide Snacks Games and Entertainment in addition to the sale of Fireworks. They can even ask for Direct Donations from Jacobsen, Waist Management, and all the same folks that support the City's Party called Grand Terrace Days. Oh, but that would remove the influence that is bought from making those donations to the "City's Party".
A park only Firework Zone, would leave Peace in the Rest of town. Enforcement of a NO fire Zone is easier than a Zone where "Safe and Sane" is OK, other's are not. Dogs, cats, old people will be left in peace on that day. If your inclined to raise a ruckus, that day, do it at the park or be quiet at home. Hell Day and Night describes last years 4th of July. Let's Not Forget the Problems we had.
In conclusion, the pretence that there needs to be a rush to a resolution is also a fiction. IF the Council Takes NO action on the Firework Ordinance, the current Ordinance will remain in force. There is no need to pass an Ordinance to increase law enforcement services those days. If there are no new Fire Free Zones, No Fireworks in the Park, and no limit on the number of days, why bother with changing the Ordinance. Be like Nero Let it burn, don't pretend you have done some great thing for the citizens addressing their safety concern.
Hmm..
Are Fireworks safer in your neighbors yard or at a public park? Schwab says the Liability Issues for the City should result in closing the Parks from being a Fireworks Fire Zone. BUT it is a risk the CITY can PUT on Citizens at Home. It is an annoyance to neighborhoods with dogs, cats, and other pets. In a park there is not supposed to be consumption of alcohol, safety inspection can be done, and IF the Rest of Grand Terrace were a no fire zone, The Rest of the Community would be Safe.
The Council has no business "Inspecting" the books of the teams as part of their justification of how to regulate the use or no use of fireworks. This is petty reasoning at best. Here is reality. The city will incur a cost to provide services for security of the Fireworks Sales, and Enforcement. That cost will be much greater if the Entire City is a Firework Fire Zone. The cost of house or brush fires could be MUCH greater than the "Damage" possible at one or both of the Parks.
It is a reasonable question to ask how much money is earned by the sale, the risk assumption of the activity and the net balance when off set by the real costs of the sale. (assuming NO tragic events). How would those costs and problems be mitigated by this ordinance, or the alternatives provided by the committee.
But, NO... We see the council accepting without debate the Amendments penciled in at the last moment by Tom Schwab. When was the public allowed to see the "Revised Version of the Committee's Recommendations as Amended by Tom Schwab". It was not on the City Web Page. The Fireworks Committee was not informed of changes, and at the meeting it came up well after 11:00pm after a series of "Presentations" which were intended to dilute the audience in attendance regarding the Threats of ED, Lowes, and Unwanted Development Activities and Practices in the City.
This slipping in the Ordinance and the Tom Schwab changes this way is typical of the operations of this city.
Passing the muster for the developer building 35 homes. More hoops than a 3 ring circus. However, WHO approve the signs of Sav-on.. Come on will any one on the Council Insist that it is Out of Code, Out of Plan, Take it down? No, Jacobsen apparently does not have to be held to the same standards as folks who want to build homes, and condo's. He can install major UGLY right in the middle of town he has been anointed by Tom Schwab.
Fees Increased 300% in two minutes.
Debate about a fence nearly 40 minutes.
Your house burnt down by fireworks. 10 minutes.
How about No Fireworks anywhere EXCEPT at the Park where they are sold and Fired in a controlled safe environment. AND the Teams provide Snacks Games and Entertainment in addition to the sale of Fireworks. They can even ask for Direct Donations from Jacobsen, Waist Management, and all the same folks that support the City's Party called Grand Terrace Days. Oh, but that would remove the influence that is bought from making those donations to the "City's Party".
A park only Firework Zone, would leave Peace in the Rest of town. Enforcement of a NO fire Zone is easier than a Zone where "Safe and Sane" is OK, other's are not. Dogs, cats, old people will be left in peace on that day. If your inclined to raise a ruckus, that day, do it at the park or be quiet at home. Hell Day and Night describes last years 4th of July. Let's Not Forget the Problems we had.
In conclusion, the pretence that there needs to be a rush to a resolution is also a fiction. IF the Council Takes NO action on the Firework Ordinance, the current Ordinance will remain in force. There is no need to pass an Ordinance to increase law enforcement services those days. If there are no new Fire Free Zones, No Fireworks in the Park, and no limit on the number of days, why bother with changing the Ordinance. Be like Nero Let it burn, don't pretend you have done some great thing for the citizens addressing their safety concern.
City Government in Grand Terrace .... Price Less... no Very Expensive..
