Four candidates for the Kent City Council strongly favor some type of city ban against fireworks.
A question about their position on a fireworks ban turned out to be one of the hottest topics at a candidates forum among five contestants on Oct. 16 at Kent Commons hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Kent.
“I have heard from residents and they say you can’t tell the difference between safe and sane fireworks from the illegal ones my neighbors get at Muckleshoot, so the easiest way for police to figure it out is to make them all illegal,” said Tina Budell, who is running to replace Deborah Ranniger.
Budell said she favors a permit process so a neighborhood that wants to put on a licensed show could pay a fee and show it has insurance to cover any fire that might be caused by the fireworks.
Kent voters can tell the council through an advisory vote on the Nov. 3 ballot whether they want fireworks banned or not. Proposition 1 is only an advisory vote to the council. The council will use the results of the vote to help determine whether to ban the use and sale of fireworks in the city. Any new ordinance passed by the council would not apply to the city’s Fourth of July Splash fireworks display at Lake Meridian or any other permitted display.
Numerous complaints from residents to the council over the last few years about fireworks going off in their neighborhoods before, during and after the Fourth of July caused the council to consider a ban and seek voters’ opinions.
Kent city code allows people to purchase and possess legal fireworks from June 28 to July 4, but fireworks can only be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. Violators of the code must pay a $250 fine.
Budell said her North Park neighborhood turns into “World War III” around the Fourth of July because people set off illegal fireworks.
“I know it sucks for groups doing their fundraising (through fireworks sales) but there’s too many fires and accidents,” Budell said.
Hira Singh Bhullar, who is running against Budell, agreed that the law needs to change.
“I think most people want a ban,” Bhullar said. “Anything people shoot in the air, ban it. Small sparklers for kids that’s fine.”
Bhullar said he has a young nephew who was afraid to come out of his room during the Fourth of July because the numerous fireworks scared him.
“It’s fun for one person but maybe a big problem for others,” he said.
Toni Troutner, who is running to unseat Brenda Fincher, said she wants to see the outcome of the advisory vote before deciding what to do.
“As a council member, I would look carefully how the votes turns out and will consider all of the information about whether or not the city will ban fireworks,” Troutner said.
She added it’s not an easy decision.
“Honestly, I see both sides of it,” Troutner said. “As my boys were growing up we did fireworks with neighbors. But I hear concerns from residents about loud noises, people buying illegal fireworks and people with animals. I also hear from residents who like to go out and do fireworks with their neighbors.”
Fincher wants to see fireworks outlawed except for the city’s display at Lake Meridian Park and others who get permits.
“I support the ban,” Fincher said. “What I really want is if it goes up and blows up, it’s illegal. I witnessed two fires in trees on the past Fourth.”
Fincher said some people fail to clean up fireworks debris, another reason she supports a ban.
“It’s an advisory vote and the council will decide what to do, so I hope everyone speaks up so we can find out what the people of Kent truly want,” she said. “My vote is for a ban. I can go up to Lake Meridian or other licensed places (to watch fireworks).”
Gwen Allen, who is running as a write-in candidate against Les Thomas, said she served on the city’s committee that wrote a statement in the Voters’ Pamphlet in favor of a fireworks ban.
Allen then read that statement, including how fireworks can startle animals, frighten children and seniors and can trigger panic in people suffering with PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder). She added that individuals who attempt to intervene with someone setting off fireworks often results in anger and long-term disharmony with neighbors.
“Can’t we simply celebrate all the Fourth means to us by enjoying the permitted, professional public fireworks displays?” she said.
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