Council getting more than a red glare

EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK

Enough is enough. The people have spoken -- and continue to do so.

Since the City Council decided to cancel the Fourth of July

fireworks this year rather than move the display to a barge four

miles off the city beach, Huntington Beach residents have come

forward in droves to voice their displeasure with the decision.

Council members opposed to fireworks at the beach cited safety

concerns, rehashing the riots of yesteryear.

And while celebrating crowds in Downtown Huntington Beach were the

root of problems in the past, the riots in no way related to the

fireworks. It was revelers who had been in the bars Downtown or

drinking at barbecues since the parade ended that caused the

problems. Those who were at the fireworks display at the high school

were, well, at the high school, and therefore not Downtown burning

couches and getting arrested.

But I digress. It seems the council, or at least the four members

of the majority that won the vote, do not represent their

constituents. Sure, they have the city and its residents’ best

interests at heart, but they are not elected to “know best,” they are

elected to represent.

The Independent has been flooded with calls and e-mails on the

topic, second only in volume to the question “Should there be homes

built on the Bolsa Chica mesa?” About one out of 20 of those calls

and e-mails agrees with the no-fireworks decision of the council.

The Fourth of July Commission, appointed by the council to

organize the city’s Independence Day festivities, recommended the

fireworks display at the beach. Its members researched the topic and

found it to be the best solution.

The chief of police said he and his department could ensure a safe

event.

These facts suggest council members had no real basis for

canceling the fireworks other than their own fears of what might

happen.

As many readers have suggested -- no, demanded -- the council

needs to trust its police chief and its residents.

Rather than oppress like King George, let “we the people”

celebrate our freedom from tyranny. On July 4, 1776, we proclaimed

our independence from England. On that day, fireworks were set off.

The council should bring the question back to the table and that

tradition back to the city.

* DANETTE GOULET is the city editor. She can be reached at (714)

965-7170 or by e-mail at [email protected].