2:00 AM Blasts on Southside

Was awakened early this AM by, you guessed it, the repeated blasts of fireworks!  It was apparently a ways off, as my Aussie did not react as she usually does.  However, it would seem that this year's end-of-the-year fireworks have begun.  Contrary to what I have urged you all to do, I did not call 911 nor post City representatives regarding the incident.  I probably with do the latter today, and herein, I am sharing news of this event with you folks.  Later . . .

Not Long Until New Years!

As 2012 comes to an end, we wish we could report significant progress in our efforts to get the City to address it's fireworks problems.  The simple fact is that the City has "lots on it's plate" and fireworks ends up a low priority item.  We've engaged Mayor Linville and the Mayor's Neighborhood Advisory Commission (MNAC) and acting Fire Chief Roger Christensen.  Though our reception was polite in both instances, nothing much has transpired in the interim.  Mayor Linville has committed, however, to look into the situation in the New Year.  We will keep you appraised of how this moves forward in 2013.

Today's Herald front page story regarding the Mayor's selection of Clifford Cook to replace retiring Bellingham Police Chief Todd Ramsay is somewhat heartening.  Cook comes to Bellingham after a 5-year stint as Police Chief in Vancouver, WA.  Interesting is the fact that Vancouver's municipal code bans all fireworks at New Years.  This being the case, perhaps the new Police Chief will be receptive to what we are about.

With New Years just a few days away, the following information might be of interest to you.  Bellingham's fireworks ordinance, BMC 10.24.130, restricts sales of so-called safe and sound fireworks to between 12/27 and 12/31.  Use is restricted to just 12/31 and 1/1.  However, Bellingham's noise ordinance, BMC 10.24.120, fails to exempt the noise of fireworks as being allowed.  So, what should you do, as a concerned citizen, when this year's barrage begins over New Years?  Two things:

1. Call 911 - or 676-6911 - and report the noise as a violation of BMC 10.24.120.
2. Follow up each telephone call with an E-Mail to the Mayor (mayorsoffice@cob.org), the City Council (ccmail@cob.org) and both the Police (police@cob.org) and Fire (fire@cob.org) Departments.

We hope you and yours have a terrific Holidays.  And that 2013 is a great year, especially with regards to the City doing something about it's fireworks problem.  Later . . .