Clark County councilors listened to just about two hours of public remark Wednesday largely against the concept of a ban on vacation fireworks, regardless that no councilor really had proposed a ban.
Dozens of individuals stuffed the county’s listening to room to inform the councilors of the advantages of fireworks gross sales for native nonprofits, youth sports activities and group service organizations. One lady sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A handful of individuals expressed assist for extra restrictions on fireworks use in unincorporated Clark County, noting the annual property harm, hurt to the atmosphere, and stress to animals and delicate teams like veterans.
Earlier than opening the general public commend part of the agenda, council Chair Sue Marshall stated the council was not set to vote on any proposed ban, opposite to on-line rumors.
Nonetheless, the councilors thanked those that confirmed up. The councilors stated they realized from audio system concerning the impacts of fireworks gross sales, whether or not the monetary increase for nonprofits or alternatives for younger folks.
The council two weeks in the past reviewed information from hearth officers concerning the 2024 Fourth of July vacation and briefly mentioned the deserves of limiting fireworks use.
Many who spoke Wednesday advocated for elevated security campaigns in lieu of an outright ban.
“We just believe in that robust safety programming that could partner with the county to work with you, to work on safety and education messaging,” stated Britton Cottrell, vp of TNT Fireworks. “We want to be a part of the solution and not the problem.”
Cottrell stated he’d met with councilors to share campaigns which were profitable in different jurisdictions to restrict harm and waste from fireworks.
“Most of the people who sell our fireworks in our tents, in our stands around your county are nonprofit organizations,” he stated. “They not only benefit from the program; they are the operators of that program. They live in your communities. They give back to your communities. And so we just ask that you make great consideration to those groups that are working so very hard for their community.”
A number of additionally praised the way in which fireworks convey folks collectively to rejoice the Fourth of July, particularly for the reason that huge present at Fort Vancouver was discontinued.
“Fireworks have always brought people together — friends, family, neighbors and whole communities — in ways that other holidays just don’t,” Clark County resident James Clark stated. “Some of my favorite memories were made at those kinds of events.”
However others stated the pressure the vacation places on already overburdened emergency companies isn’t price it. Additionally they emphasised the stress and danger of property harm on that night time.
“While I understand that people love to have fireworks and enjoy them, I have had many, many years of being cooped up with a baby or little kids inside of a house … trying to get the kids to sleep,” Clark County resident Dijana Katan stated. “Because while there are parameters on when fireworks are allowed, they are often not followed, and so it is very difficult to lead a normal life.”
A number of of the councilors famous the complexity of the difficulty and the deserves of arguments on each side. They didn’t take motion Wednesday. However they agreed to evaluate extra details about their coverage choices in need of a ban and talk about the difficulty once more at one other assembly.
