Doug Willson On Fireworks in the GTCity News

Doug Wilson's position on Fireworks expressed in the Grand Terrace City News raises questions as to his powers of reason and logic and understanding of history.

He starts of saying his granddaughter should have the right to use fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. He cites John Adams as part of his historical argument.

In 1777 we had a lot of rights your grand daughter can not participate in today. In 1777 we could own a slave, have chickens in our back yards, have pet deer, use opium and heroin or marijuana as we pleased. We could drink alcohol when ever we wanted at any age.

Your grand daughter being a female would not have been able to vote, own property in some states, or serve in the military. Do you really want her to enjoy the rights of a woman in 1777? Thank goodness she is no doubt white and not subject to being a slave.

In addition practices of a particular type such as the use of fireworks are not RIGHTs provided by the Constitution of the USA. They are prohibited by state law and county law unless the City takes the liability and responsibility for the sale and use within its jurisdiction.

So if we are going to have equal justice or protection under the law and we permit fireworks for the 4th of July in Grand Terrace shouldn't the same logic be used to justify year round use of fireworks in Grand Terrace. Who or where is it legal to say that one celebration has priority over another. For example if I want to celebrate the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall solstice with fireworks should not these celebrations with fireworks also be permitted. Oh heck I want to celebrate every Friday just because the work week ends with a firework party each week.

In modern times, in DRY California, you do not have the right to put your neighbors home and safety at risk for your celebration of anything. We have given up many individual practices when we agree to live in a community. Fire and Injury are a real outcome when fireworks are used. Yes a community does regulate risk. In California this is in the California Code, County Code and you chose to live in this state and county. In a city that allowed the temporary use and sale of fireworks. That temporary is now being considered for retraction.

Grand Terrace Historically was a place where the sale and use of fireworks was not permitted. It was only during the Schwab Administration that this changed. Schwab gutted the Rec Department and funding of sports and encouraged the teams to make up the difference with Fireworks Sales. The City Council let it be tried. The firework trial is over. We have had fires and injury. All citizens at risk and it puts the City at a Financial Risk.

Further more. If the City allows the teams to sell fireworks they have no way of stopping Stater Brothers and other stores from selling fireworks. That would be illegal restraint of trade. So it is not a secure way for the teams to earn funds they need.

Your position on this is disappointing to many people who supported you for the City Council. Your looking a lot like Tom Schwab on this issue. At least you haven't been found to have covered up a criminal investigation within City Hall.

Tom Schwab always found money for his increased income, cars and a house. Yet he could not find money for a Rec Program or to support youth sports or programs. We don't need to perpetuate his historical narrow self interested position on fireworks.

If it is safe to have fireworks, let them be in the City Park. Not near homes and cars. If it is safe to have fireworks take them to the homes and streets near every City Council member who votes to let them happen, and to the homes and streets where the Sports Team Board Members live.

I'd rather have a neighbor with chickens and goats and barking dogs all year than a weekend of fireworks. In 1777 you could have all these things in a city oh my... do you really want to go back to 1777?