Fireworks in GT will be considered again, and the recent article by Steven Wall in the Sun apparently reports both sides of the story. However, as typical the reporting fails to ask the tough questions.
As reported some of what Brian Phelps says as a person whose interest is not focused on safety of the entire community, but on the fundraising for the sports teams provide the opportunity to ask detailed questions that Mr. Wall fails to include in his reporting.
Mr. Wall did not ask what other Fundraising Efforts the Teams have used, in an attempt to raise money in a less dangerous, and disturbing way? He failed to ask or report that the Team has not made any effort to replace this source of fundraising and is assuming that the council will continue to allow fireworks. Prudent Team Management would suggest that an alternative method should be selected and worked at in the event the Council Bans Fireworks, or so that the Sports Teams could wean themselves off of this method of fund raising so that they can be more respected in the community.
Mr. Wall reported that the two sports earned about $ 8,000.00 each. He did not ask some important questions about the need for that $ 8,000.00 per team. For example, one of the teams spends almost twice that amount on trophies and certificates for participation. The City Charges the team to use the parks and lights. So the how the money is spent is as important to how it is earned and that question is not asked.
Mr. Wall reports that the city gets 3% surcharge on sales, to cover the cost to the city from the increased enforcement and other costs to the city. This is an interesting amount. Why did he not report how much the city receive, in whole dollars. Why didn’t he report the actual cost of increased enforcement? Why didn’t he report the cost of the protection of 200 houses from a fire that was most likely started by the use of fireworks? Did this 3% come close to even covering a part of these expenses?
Fireworks sales are not simple: The shed has to be placed and manned, and tended for about week 24 hours a day. The Activity Creates funds that are spent to benefit about 1000 children, and 14,000 people and pets are put at risk or at a minimum have their lives disturbed. Homes and Wildlife are put at risk.
Quite frankly if the real dollar amounts were known it may be apparent that the City could afford to Pay the Sports Teams not to sell Fireworks, and have a quiet 4th for the rest of the community, and flat out arrest all people who have so much as a sparkler and collect fines sufficient to offset enforcement.
Enforcement will be a continued requirement for a few years as the City’s Reputation for Hosting Fireworks and the Mayhem associated will have to be removed and that has proven to take a couple of years of strong enforcement activities post the initial ban. So the city has created a unsafe situation which will take more than one year to reverse and deal with.
Mr. Walls reporting of the situation is insufficient for an informed public, and it demonstrates either a bias or lack of professionalism.
The City of Grand Terrace does not allow Fireworks even the “Safe and Sane” kind in City Parks under the supervision of The Brook Church during a Community 4th of July Picnic. IF it is not safe in a green park, with cement buildings open spaces, ample water available, and in an environment where there is no alchole present, and sufficient adult supervision, WHY on earth is is “SAFE” anywhere in Grand Terrace?
There is a flaw in the justification to have fireworks, it is the easiest way to earn money. What is illegal for 51 weeks of the year should be illegal for 52 weeks of the year. We don’t say the Choir needs money, so one week a year we’ll allow the director and singers to burgle houses, and sell the stolen items on ebay for a week. We don’t say, we’ll allow prostitution for a week if the city can collect a 3% surcharge.
I do not buy fireworks, I do not support fireworks, I don’t like fireworks, I think all fireworks should be banned, and I think that the efforts to arrest folks last year were not sufficient and under reported as I observed the ineffective enforcement during last years bombardment. We would need 15 officers, and a paddy wagon to haul off the entire household where rockets were being launched. This did not happen.
It should not take a burnt house or death to cause a ban of all fireworks in Grand Terrace. I will support the sports teams if they don’t sell fireworks.
Brian Phelps reasons to continue firework sales were:
"We believe that fireworks are safe when properly supervised by adults and safety precautions are followed," said Brian Phelps, a committee member and vice president of Grand Terrace Little League. "It's extremely important to the Little League to continue to raise these funds to keep costs down for parents."
But Phelps said his group has tried other fundraisers and none has worked as well as fireworks. "Fireworks are one of the simplest and most effective ways to raise money with the least amount of volunteer work," Phelps said.
Mr. Wall provides information from an UN Named Official City Official:
The Little League and Grand Terrace Community Soccer organization have permission to sell fireworks from a single booth in front of Stater Bros. Market from June 28 through July 4. Each group raised about $8,000 from fireworks sales in 2006, officials said.
The city levies a 3 percent surcharge on fireworks sales that pays for increased enforcement against illegal fireworks on July 3 and 4.
The rest of the article is:
GT considering ban on fireworks ,
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer ,
San Bernardino County Sun
http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_4901107
