An explosive fireworks debate

Reading in the Daily Pilot about Councilman Mike Scheafer’s decision

to try to ban fireworks in Costa Mesa, I noticed his one related

injury to a house was from illegal fireworks. Just wondering how by

banning the safe-and-sane, how that is going to stop the illegal

ones? It seems to me that most of the accidents and fires have been

caused by illegal fireworks that won’t be stopped by anymore

ordinances and bans.

I supported both Pop Warner and Costa Mesa High School football

through fireworks sales for several years and no incidents or

injuries to either person or property from these sales. I sincerely

regret Scheafer’s neighbor’s injury and don’t understand how a

supposedly safe-and-sane sparkler could ignite a polyester skirt,

which is hardly flame related.

But I would suggest that if he wants to ban something, to make

sure that only Costa Mesa organizations be able to sell fireworks in

Costa Mesa. That would certainly cut down the number of booths and

aid the sale of Costa Mesa nonprofit organizations.

ED BAUME

Costa Mesa

I support Councilman Mike Scheafer’s effort to ban fireworks. I

would prefer an outright ban immediately, I think the compromise of

phasing it out so these different fund-raising activities can find

other sources of revenue is a doable compromise. I am sorry it took a

tragedy for Councilman Scheafer to come to this decision, but

whatever, it will be a valuable asset to the city of Costa Mesa.

ELLIOTT MITCHELL

Costa Mesa

I was very sorry to read that Councilman Mike Scheafer’s neighbor

had suffered such severe burns. However, he should be aware that

sparklers have not been sold in the safe-and-sane fireworks stand in

this city for several years. The sparklers are not safe-and-sane

fireworks, they are not sold in the stands.

The charitable organizations should not be closed because of

sparklers. Sparklers are not sold in the stands that have

safe-and-sane fireworks.

KATHY BEQUETTE

Costa Mesa

I just read the story about the plan to phase out fireworks in the

city of Costa Mesa because a friend of Councilman Mike Scheafer was

badly burned when her clothes ignited by a sparkler.

In the same Daily Pilot, I read the names of 26 people who were

arrested for driving under the influence. So are we also going to

stop the sale of alcohol and close down all the bars in this city?

In the last three weeks, three people have lost their lives in the

oceans off of Huntington Beach. Should we close the beaches and stop

people from swimming?

I am sorry that we don’t live in a totally safe and perfect world.

And sometimes bad things happen to good people. But we need to

remember that tens of thousands of people in Costa Mesa used

fireworks on the Fourth of July and had no problem at all.

CHARLIE MASSINGILL

Newport Beach