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 . . .