07/22/2008: "4th Of July Traditions"

(The following statement was given to us as background on the appeal of the fireworks ban, [story above] and we felt it worth sharing with our readers. -Editor)

By Don Burkhart

A funny thing happened on the way to the 4th of July celebration. Our employees, whom we have hired to serve our interests, protect our way of life, and assist in our collective health and safety, now turn the tables. No longer are they taking orders from us, but instead issuing them to us.

San Juan County Ordinance 28-2008 (the fireworks ban) is surely an example of such hubris. How did this come to pass? By our passivity. By our simple acceptance without objection. By not standing up and saying, "No, you work for us. You will perform your duties within the construct that we as a collective people define desirable for our way of life"

This ordinance was crafted by our Fire and Medical personnel, under the banner of "public health and safety", reasoning reserved for those instances where no other viable reason can be found, and one that is secondary in suspicion of motive only to "The Whales". "One injury is one too many", testifies San Juan Island Fire Department Chief Steve Marler.

If that is our societal standard of public safety, then consistency demands we extend this across all human activities. Is there more danger to person and property with fireworks than without? Yes. Do we ban driving because there are car crashes? Do we ban cooking because stoves cause fires? The essence of the social contract comes down to what risks we are willing to accept, in trade for what freedoms and enjoyments they yield.

On May 14th the ordinance was formally proposed. On June 3rd, the minimum notice period allowed by law, a single public comment hearing was held, after which the ban was immediately adopted. This is a political body that spends 10 years crafting a comp plan to take us through the next 30 years. How is it that here in the islands, surrounded by water, arguably the safest place on Earth this side of the North pole to ignite fireworks, a pastime steeped in 200 years of American history, pride, and patriotism was snuffed out by six people in a scant 45 days? Council Member Rich Peterson testified that "there is a need for a whole lot of public input on this" I guess by that he meant as much input as can be heard in a single public hearing scheduled for the fast track. And so now next July, little Johnny can't light off a sparkler without the threat of the San Juan SWAT team descending on him, guns drawn.

There is another disturbing aspect to this decision, in the Council's reasoning that people should simply go to one of the professionally licensed displays. That might work for the 3 ferry-served islands that put on such displays, but what of the other 56 inhabited islands? Once again the ferry-served-centric view held by the County administration reveals itself. The rest of us be damned, we can just do without. Perhaps then the County can do without our taxes? It is time the County recognizes that it serves all the islands, not just those with ferry docks.

I am 51 years old. Here on Blakely since I was 3, on the evening of July 4th our community gathers en masse on the beach, where we each set off our individual fireworks, which are viewed and enjoyed by all. There are a scattering of beach fires and gatherings up and down this ~ mile beach, into which we all wander, greeting our neighbors. sharing a beverage, and yes, lighting off some fireworks. It is and has always been the pinnacle of our summer season.

I am unwilling to cede to San Juan County the authority to curtail our community's long standing tradition, and so wish to announce the formation of Fireworks Unrestricted LLC, a newly chartered, state-registered political action committee with the solitary aim to rescind San Juan County ordinance 28-2008.

We are currently seeking donations and legal assistance for this cause. Interested parties may contact and participate at PO Box 5254, Blakely Island, W A, 98222, Patriots@BlakelyIsland.com.

What can you do? While we are getting t organized, note that a democratic society expresses itself through its elected representatives. Please express your opinion to the six members of the San Juan County Council:

Gene Knapp.......... genek@co.san-juan.wa.us
Alan Lichter.......... alanl@co.san-juan.wa.us
Bob Myhr.............. bobm@co.san-juan.wa.us
Rich Peterson ....... richp@co.san-juan.wa.us
Kevin Ranker......... kranker@co.san-juan.wa. us
Howard Rosenfeld... howier@co.san-juan.wa.us

Don't like the answers you're getting? Your vote is the strongest message you can send. A full half of the Council positions are up for re-election this year. It is the perfect time to make your voice heard. Two of the three positions are contested in the upcoming August 19th primary

District #1, currently held by Mr. Ranker, is being sought by Gordy Peterson. Mr. Peterson has come out strong against the fireworks ban. Fireworks Unrestricted supports Gordy Peterson for District # 1.

District #4, currently held by Mr. Lichter, is being sought be several candidates, Richard Fraylick, Mindy Kayl, and Bruce Orchid. Fireworks Unrestricted asks these candidates to make clear their position on the fireworks ban before the primary election.

District #3, currently held by Mr. Rosenfeld is being sought by Fay Chaffee. Ms. Chaffee's views on the fireworks ban are unknown at this writing. We urge her to consider this issue an important part of her campaign to unseat the incumbent.