Article view from the other side of the hill. San Mateo County Times/Joshua Melvin, 12/16/12. "Environment worries push Pacifica to consider fireworks ban."
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| A community activity with risk and cost |
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| Fireworks fund our Youth Clubs |
In interviews, local officials said there's been talk of prohibiting fireworks from the city's beaches. However, no one is for the moment pushing to shutter the sales stands that serve as fundraisers for community groups. Any proposals from the task force would need final approval from the City Council.
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| Safe and sane |
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| Some years are more like a war zone |
Related - Pacifica Tribune, 12/11/12, "City council forms fireworks task force." From the article... "The task force will consider the following options:
1. Ban the sale and use of safe and sane fireworks in Pacifica.
2. Ban the use of fireworks on Linda Mar Beach and designate an alternate location for their use.
3. Ban them on the beach without designating an alternate site.
4. Begin a strong proactive campaign to promote people cleaning up the litter created.
5. Make a greater effort to assure the cleanup of the beach is organized and effective in removing the litter left behind.
6. Some combinations of the alternatives listed above."
Posted by Kathy Meeh
20 comments:
More task forces and more consultants reports. Way to go city council.
What would you expect from this bunch? Pros at kick the can.tryGovi 397
The joke of the whole thing is it would be cheaper for the city to just give money to the not for profits that partake in these things rather than pay for all the extra law enforcement on the 4th itself.
There is a fee associated for law enforcement attached to the fireworks sales but it doesn't come close to covering the cost of the additional officers the city hires to cover the 4th.
I'm all for shutting down the fireworks booths and especially for outlawing fireworks on the beach because it ultimately costs us far less money to just pay off the not for profits rather than pay all the temp police officers, and of course the local waste hauler.
lies lies all lies
what can you expect from a city that lies.
Plenty of clues in what has come out of both sides of council's mealy mouth. The only uncertainty is can they select the right drones on a commission to reach that same consensus. Seeking consensus is usually a good thing..except when the process is a sham. Deck looks a bit stacked on the side of peace and quiet. Bray is probably correct that this city would be better off to just write a check to these non-profits. Do it by lottery just like the fireworks booths. Spare us the yearly melodramatics. Probably cost $75K per year. So what? Some Benz-driving consultant buddy won't get a gig from stupid Pacifica. Oh no!
Can you show us proof of that Todd?
I thought I read the fireworks brought in many times more for our non profits as we spent.
I am in favor of the fireworks continuing to be sold but I agree we should ban them on the beaches.
Yes, let's continue to shoot off pyrotechnics in our neighborhoods when the hillsides are completely dry after months of no rain. That's genius.
Hutch, Hell will freeze over before you get an answer or Bray to back up his statements on here.
Fireworks, first authorized by Congress for Fourth of July, 1777, are a legacy.
"The day will be most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
So wrote John Adams on July 3, 1776
Have the city buy two hot dog carts. One for Linda Mar beach and one for Rockaway. Cost about 5 to 10k for a good one. Let the nons rotate weekends by lotto. Some get good weather, some don't. Nons buy all the supplies, pay for the city to clean, and a little insurance extortion. They make a fortune. Smart nons hit up suppliers for freebies. Case closed.
What's your point, Hutch? They owned slaves, had wooden false teeth, and wouldn't allow women to vote in 1776 too. Times change.
Most cities in San Mateo County and in the Bay Area ban all fireworks. So much for legacy.
@646 Oh no, we couldn't do that. The last time a hog dog cart was proposed for LM Beach (2004ish) everything went along just fine til several businesses on Crespi got their shorts in a twist over the alleged competition (actually non-existant) and placed a protest petition in one of the businesses. Presto chango, 800 unverified and questionable signatures later, city council under the guidance of what's his name lost their nerve. The city and the vendor lost revenue. Revenue-what's that? You want to propose 2 hot dog carts to council?
I can here it now...Consultants, I need consultants here, surveys, surveys, we got surveys, a task force, we'll need a hot dog task force. Forget the hot dog cart. You're dealing with this council, you're dealing with a bunch of weinies, yeah wienies.
"I thought I read the fireworks brought in many times more for our non profits as we spent."
Fire works sales benefit the manufacturers to the tune of 2 to 1over the locals. 15 groups split $101,000 in net profits locally.
The question I think needs to be asked of local non-profit groups is: "Are you willing to assume responsibility for death, injury, and /or property damage due to local authorities being unable to police the town, due to legal fireworks covering the illegal stuff?"
That's not only my opinion, that's been the cops and firefighters opinion for years. What's it going to take for leaders to lead instead of their cowardly kicking of the sparkler down the driveway?
If you didn't know already, sheriff's department help on the Fourth was cut out two years ago by our genius, budget-cutting staff. There was no public hearing to discuss or disclose it.
Yeah, thanks Lionel for mentioning the backdoor way council (3 of them are still "serving") left this town without enough law enforcement on the 4th for the last 2 years. And they did it so quietly--Osama bin Laden would still be alive if he'd had these sneaks covering his tracks. And guess what? The chaos on the 4th has become worse. Who knew? The Pacifica PD knew that's what would happen if enforcement and police presence on the 4th dropped off. The SMC Sheriff's Dept also knew. So, did no one tell our pathetic, hapless city council or did they just decide to roll the dice til the public outcry built up again? You've seen them in action, what do you think? And now we have the various enviro groups leading the charge against fireworks. Council cannot believe their luck. Saved once again from any need to provide leadership or backbone. Let the enviros take the heat.
Why do you guys hate America? JK
No really come on it's fireworks. Jeezus. You are against everything.
And I think $115,000 is a hell of a lot for local charities.
If you want to ban fireworks, you hate America. That's why most cities in the Bay Area ban fireworks. They all hate America.
Jeezus, what a effin' stoopid comment.
So let's say City Council allows fireworks to continue on the beach. And with plans to implement paid parking at LM beach by early summer. where do you think people will park. to set off their "legal" fireworks?"
I say cars will be lined up on both sides of Hwy 1 with the overflow parking on the side streets. What a fiasco that could be.
Hot dog wagons! Any of you guys have any idea how much money they bring in on a wknd? Jeez, no-brainer.
Who exactly is going to enforce the coming ban on beach fireworks, and how much of the rest of town will be left without police protection a result?
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