Bellingham Business Journal Fireworks Opinion Poll

 In my search for a Comcast fireworks opinion poll - which I have yet to locate -  I discovered this Bellingham Business Journal fireworks ban poll.  Please go out to vote your opinion at BBJ Opinion Poll.  THANKS!  Later . . .

Sunday Political Cartoon

The Rik Dalvit cartoon in today's Bellingham Herald clearly indicates that our Mayor is very much aware of the persistent grass-roots efforts of the Freedom From Fireworks folks to promote better control of personal fireworks in our City.  Later . . .

So Much for the Month of May

The elation I felt, this past Monday morning, when I watched a discussion of a City fireworks ban, was soon after dashed as I began to ask myself, "So, what happens next?", especially in view of the fact that whatever is to be none must be done before the 4th of July this year for it to be enforced before the 4th of July next year.  It looks like any real progress is now stalled until no earlier than May 20th.  Here's why: 

      

• The discussion itself remains in the Public Safety Council Committee.  Two sitting members of this committee will be "out of pocket" for the Committee's 5/13 meeting.  Hence, it would appear that nothing substantive can happen in that committee until it's 5/20 meeting.
• It is my understanding that a City Assistant Attorney is at work on a DRAFT fireworks ban.  The City Attorney's Office was very helpful with the development, in late 2011, of a petition designed to put a ban on the November, 2012 General Election ballot.  This being the case, the task of writing a DRAFT fireworks ban to present to the Public Safety Council Committee should be a relatively easy one.  Hopefully work on a DRAFT ban, which the Public Safety Committee needs to continue discussion of this issue, is proceeding productively.
• It is also my understanding that the Mayor will be "out-of-pocket" between May 1st and 8th and between May 17th and 24th.  I am hopeful that during these "out-of-pocket" periods that City staff and the Council will continue to work on this issue.

BOTTOM LINE: Perhaps the over 3200 registered voters in Bellingham who support better control fireworks in our City would be very disappointed to learn that the City's address of this issue before the 4th of July this year is jeopardized by the loss of most of the month of May.  Comments?  Later . . . 

Monday's Council Public Safety Committee Meeting Video

The recent front page article in the Herald covered, from John Stark's perspective, what took place at Monday's Council Public Safety meeting.  Just discovered that the City has put the video of that meeting up at http://www.cob.org/services/education/btv10/videos/council/2013-04-22-council-committee-meeting.aspx.  The Committee's discussion of fireworks comes up first and lasts about an hour.  Strongly suggest that you check it out.  Later . . .

Front Page in Today's Newspaper

John Stark's front page piece in this morning's Bellingham Herald is very interesting reading.  Your can view it on-line here.  You might want to check out the on-line comments too.  Amazing how many folks have stepped up in support of a total ban of personal fireworks in our City.  Later . . .

Freedom From Fireworks in Bellingham is on Facebook

This is not a new Facebook page, but it's only recently been utilized.  Check it out at Fireworks Guy.  Later . . .

Discussion of Fireworks to Begin on Monday

The City recently posted the Agenda for this coming Monday's City Council activities.  At long last, a discussion of fireworks in our City is slated as the first order of business at the morning Public Works/Public Safety Council Committee.  The committee, chaired with Councilman Stan Snapp, includes Councilmen Gene Knutson and Terry Bornemann.  Monday's meeting is to begin at 9:00AM in the Council chamber at City Hall.  This is a working session, open to the public and available for viewing live on BTV10.  For more information, please access this link: http://www.cob.org/web/council.nsf/$vAllByUnid/4CA6BA5AF5C9B01888257B510054FCF8?OpenDocument. A review of the listed City Council Agenda Bill regarding a fireworks ban discussion (AB19942) is highly recommended.  Later . . .

Another Conoboy Piece

Once again, supporter Richard Conoboy has written yet another piece for the Northwest Citizen.  Check it out at  http://www.nwcitizen.com/entry/status-of-the-move-to-ban-fireworks-in-bellingham.  Later . . .

To Whom It May Concern

In order for any changes to the existing City noise and fireworks ordinances to be enforceable before the 4th of July in 2014, these changes must be adopted legislatively by the City before the 4th of July this year.  As the items below clearly show, since July of last year, the City has made very little progress in this regard:

• During City Council sessions on July 25th and August 6th of 2012, the Mayor reported to Council that she would direct City Attorney staff to review what the City might do to address concerns regarding fireworks in our City.
• On September 18th, 2012, Taimi Gorman, Richard Maneval and I visited MNAC to express our concerns regarding fireworks in our City. Following that MNAC meeting, the Mayor again indicated that she would have staff look into this matter.
• In response to my October 30th, 2012 posting requesting any results of staff actions with regard in our concerns regarding fireworks in our City, I received a posting that stated in part, "In early 2013, Mayor Kelli plans to work with our public safety officials on a plan for increased neighborhood presence to assist in the education and enforcement of existing fireworks restrictions."  There was no mention of any of the staff work that had been promised.  
• On January 28th and March 11th of this year, I was accompanied by several eloquent residents of our City, to voice, in 3-minute Public Comments to City Council, our concerns regarding fireworks in our City.
• Twice now, during City Council sessions on February 11th and March 11th of 2013, motions to get a discussion of fireworks in our City started in the Public Safety Council Committee, which is chaired by Stan Snapp, have passed unanimously.
• During the Mayor's Report portion of the evening Council Meeting on February 11th, 2013, the Mayor  and Fire Chief Roger Christensen announced an "interpretation" of our existing fireworks ordinance which prohibits, starting this year, the sale at fireworks stands in our City of so-called "cakes".  This is a minimal but significant step forward.
• During an exchange between the Mayor and Councilman Snapp at the City Council meeting on March 25th, 2013, the Mayor once again stated that she would direct staff do whatever is required to enable the Public Safety Council Committee to take up this matter.
• A recent review of the City Council Agenda for this coming Monday, April 8th, 2013 indicates that fireworks is not yet an Agenda item for the Public Safety Council Committee. 

     This leads me to one simple question:  Why is it taking so long for the City to act?

     It has always been my belief that elected officials serve at the pleasure of those who elected them.  To say the least, I am not pleased with the City's minimal reaction to our concerns.  I for one will keep this in mind the next time I vote. 

     Later . . .