Community Commentary -- Randy Seton

We’ve all enjoyed the fireworks the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

displays every year and, this year, I thought, “no fireworks?” There goes

another event enjoyed by most of us for years (“Fourth of July fireworks

fizzle at Dunes,” May 11). The resort is up for sale and if the fireworks

show is a negative, then we really can’t blame them for not having

fireworks. After all, they do charge for the show and we get to see most

of it for free.

Fireworks are also very illegal in Newport Beach so citizens can’t

light ‘em off for the same reason that private property gets harmed, and

some folks and their pets get scared.

Just like on Sunday. A family having a wedding had some really

spectacular fireworks shot off from an offshore barge, and I and other

Balboa Island neighbors loved the free show (“Newport fireworks display

surprises residents,” Tuesday).

So here’s a twist: There are people that enjoyed the celebration, so

is there a “that was great” department to balance the “complaint

department?” It scared some folks because it was just before 10 p.m., but

it wasn’t the Taliban; it was good ol’ Americans just celebrating life.

What a concept.

Now, doesn’t that make you wonder who puts on the fireworks displays

in Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach? The cities? Maybe in light of Sept.

11, our city leaders will step up to the cause for freedom and the

American way, and put on a fireworks show we’ve never seen. If money is

an issue, I personally will donate $20 toward a city-sponsored “Americans

for Free America” Fourth of July show. I’m sure the residents of Newport

would really get behind a great Newport show.

We have two rebuilt piers, so those would be a great staging area for

a synchronized extravaganza, and there’s no boats to burn. Well, it’s a

thought and I’m sure you just don’t call a fireworks company in June and

say, “We’ve decided to put on a big show this Fourth of July. Can you do

it?”

Well, at least we can watch the Big Canyon show (maybe) and turn our

heads south to Three Arch Bay and Laguna to watch them celebrate

Independence Day for the greatest free country in the world.

Happy Fourth of July.

* RANDY SETON is a 41-year resident of Balboa Island.