In the Press and From the Email InBox: More on Fireworks

GT will remain fireworks friendly city San Bernardino Sun, CA - GRAND TERRACE - Following a lengthy debate, the City Council has agreed to keep fireworks legal. The council voted 3-2 Tuesday night to continue allowing ...

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From the Email InBox:

If all fireworks are illegal it is not rocket science to see what household is setting them off. If you own the house where an illegal activity is taking place your responsible. If someone brings drugs into your house and the cops come in and see or find them, your going. You can say they weren't mine to the judge.

From the Email InBox:

What other financial information was not included was the 8 citations collected fees to offset the cost of enforcement. Yes, even if there is no INCOME from the Sale or Producer / Supplier of Fireworks the Citations and Arrests can off set the cost of the Enforcement of the Laws.

Who were these 8 people who disregard the safety of their community. Shame should be upon them in addition to the cost of a Fee, Fine and Criminal Charges.

Lets Review where the Liability would rest. Fireworks are not a Right in the US Constitution.
Fireworks are not a Right in the California Constitution. Fireworks are not a Right in the County Charter. As a mater of fact in the State of California and the County of San Bernardino Fireworks are Illegal "UNLESS a City or Municipality" ALLOWS their use. It is not a "Tradition" 10 Years a "Tradition is not Made".

The Twisted Logic used by the Mayor was painful. The we had a committee we must follow their recommendation is an escape, intended to remove herself from being responsible for continuing this assault on the community. A committee in this governmental model does not hold the power of decision making. A committee is a tool of gathering information and it naturally will come to conclusions and opinions based upon that experience of gathering information. However, to say a Committee said by a slim majority we should do such and such, is troubling particularly when some of those who are voting have direct financial conflict of interest. I don't think the Oil Companies should set Energy Policy. Nor do I think that Firework Sales People should be deciding a City's Ordinance regarding the subject.

The Sports Teams have made NO Effort to remove themselves from their dependency on these funds, knowing that the Community is suffering from the assault, danger, and risk.

Buchanan's, "next year the sports teams should figure about how to have an alternative revenue source" is troubled logic. The teams have shown no interest or inclination of raising funds via other methods to replace these funds.

The City's Twisted Satisfaction is: When the Utility Tax was not passed the City Manager immediately put the punishment on to the Sports Teams and Youth Services in Parks and Recreation. The Utility Tax was not written in such a way it Guaranteed where the tax funds would have been spent. So as a way of "Punishing" the Parents and Community remove the support from those with smaller voices. Cut Backs on Services did not go across all groups or age groups. As a Matter of Fact, most other cuts have been restored or bypassed.

Mr. Schwab received an annual raise in excess of the budget for Youth Services/Recreation for example, of where are the Priorities of the Council Members. If they did not give him a raise was he ready to leave town, move on to a better offer?

Grand Terrace Days and Halloween Haunt sees more money collected and spent for these single day activities. It is a matter of City Priority, and who is setting that Priority. It is not about a Committee report.

I kind of like that idea of a Random Draft to serve on a Committee. That was an idea that deserves more thought.