Fireworks belong in Surf City on the Fourth

Barry L Williams

Sounds to me like the police are intimidated by the activity.

Don’t we keep a police force to protect us; not regulate a free

society? The council majority seemed to sympathize with the

management of the Hyatt rather than sympathize with the patriotic

support we owe our sons and daughters serving in harms way in the

Middle East. The Hyatt has an application; presumably approved; to

hold a fireworks show in March on the same beach according to

unconfirmed sources. Will the council also deny that?

New York police did not shut down the city in fear after Sept. 11,

2001 and are not holding the citizens hostage from activities. The

riots were Downtown, the fireworks were at Huntington Beach High

School two miles away. Perhaps the problem was ineffective police

policy under a chief no longer in service. Doesn’t the new chief

accept this as part of his responsibility or does he hide under old

tales of uncontrolled crowds? Uncontrolled by whom? If my memory is

correct I think the police have a bad taste for that also because

there were several complaints of police misconduct lodged. I would

bet that there will be not one dimes difference in the police

salaries expended on the Fourth of July whether there are fireworks

or not. They will have the exact same tactical plan in effect either

way.

The members of the Fourth of July board are all voluntary and

receive no special publicity or reward from their service. There were

even arraignments made for the entire program to be unwritten by

private funds if the city would abandon the ancient ban on liquor

sales and allow a major beverage company to underwrite the program.

The Super Bowl Sunday event can serve beer but the Fourth of July

people are not responsible enough to have beer as an event sponsor.

We will allow, and even beg the beer sales people, to put their

horses and wagon in our parade but will not allow them to advertise

their product. In exchange for paying for the event. Plus, several

others, including Downtown business owners, pledged financial

participation in a gala of such magnitude as to attract 20 minutes of

national positive exposure.

The charge is, and always has been, to provide at no cost to the

city a stage for politicians ride in a parade and citizens to enjoy

our nations birthday, which has for time and memorial included

fireworks? They were moved to the school because of fog not riots.

The Police Department should bend over backward to assist in a

celebration ranking us right up there with New York and Boston in

their displays. Councilman Dave Sullivan should be proud to out do

his abandoned home boys in Boston. We might even get on national TV

for something other than a negative activity. Why can’t the council

majority and the police think in the positive rather than negative.

What is wrong with keeping our citizens right here in town with a

fireworks celebration? Why should we force them to Newport; Laguna;

Dana Point and other cities who have more confidence in either their

citizens or their police departments?

We are built out as a city and no open space allows fireworks. Yet

we have eight miles of a wonderful open space. Why can’t our elected

and salaried servants accept that as reality. There will never be a

venue as good as the beach.

The new youth complex is next to a horse stable. I doubt if they

want any fireworks next door. Also, the million dollar plus homes

next door will also not want ash in their pools. Council members Pam

Julien Houchen, Debbie Cook and Jill Hardy showed great concern for

their constituency and the majority acted in arrogance that they and

staff knew better what was best for the public? Best for who? Staff

or citizens? It is my firm belief that the majority of Huntington

Beach residents are very supportive of a spectacular Fourth in our

own hometown and fireworks are a compliment and a great evening

conclusion to the fabulous, best parade west of the Mississippi.

* BARRY L WILLIAMS is a Huntington Beach resident. To contribute

to “Sounding Off” e-mail us at [email protected] or fax us at (714)

965-7174.