Ban percentages when it comes to fireworks

LOLITA HARPER

OK. I think we can all agree that life will go on without sparklers.

Sure, I have fond memories of setting off various pyrotechnic

party favors as a youngster living on Albert Place. I also have more

recent memories of my toddler not being able to sleep at night and

crying from the loud bangs of neighborhood celebrations. And this

merriment carries on much longer than one day -- try a whole week.

So for those and other more incendiary reasons, such as clothes

being set on fire, etc., the Costa Mesa City Council did a

double-take on the rules regarding firework sales, banning hand-held

devices and saying groups that don’t have at least 80% Costa Mesa

residents can’t sell.

The suggested ordinance, which has yet to officially pass, has

garnered support from the majority of the council members. And so, we

in the fine city of go-against-the-grain Costa Mesa have taken one

step closer to conformity in the phasing out of fireworks.

I could go either way.

But the heart of this debate is not really about tradition, or

revelry, it’s about the almighty dollar. If firework stands weren’t a

major fundraiser for various local groups, they would have been

banned long ago.

In the crossfire of this new and improved ordinance is Newport

Harbor High School, which last year had eight stands for its various

recreational organizations. Newport Harbor draws its students from

portions of Costa Mesa, as well as Newport Beach, but does not meet

the 80% benchmark and therefore does not meet the eligibility

requirements to sell again this year.

Tim Hogan, a member of the Newport Harbor Navigators parents’

group, said the rule changes are “a little crazy.” Parents and

children alike are busting their soccer, basketball and volleyball

buns to raise money for under-funded programs, so why would Costa

Mesa want to stop that?

“I know Newport Harbor doesn’t have 80% Costa Mesa residents, but

there is a percentage in there,” Hogan said. “I guess I just don’t

get the point.”

The Newport Harbor issue was raised at the April 19 Costa Mesa

City Council meeting, to which Councilman Mike Scheafer -- the force

behind the fireworks ordinance -- answered that a compromise could be

reached. Perhaps the city could make an exception for Newport Harbor,

he suggested.

Here we go. When it comes down to making tough decisions, the

loving city of Costa Mesa has a history of trying to please

everybody, all the time.

Make an exception for Newport Harbor High School and who else will

make the case that they should be exempt?

Thankfully, the official ordinance has yet to pass.

Instead of going down the slippery slope of immunity, it’s time to

take out the 80% rule, or tweak the percentages.

It’s like Hogan said:

“If you want to stop [fireworks] altogether, like Newport [Beach],

then fine, but limiting sales based on percentages doesn’t make

sense.”

* LOLITA HARPER is the Forum editor. She also writes columns

Wednesdays and Fridays. She may be reached at (949) 574-4275 or at

lolita.harper@latimes.com.