I read with some disappointment the (Nov. 20) article on the City Council’s decision to postpone a ban on fireworks for Kent for further review.
It seems to me when the council feels the need to raise taxes or rates or both to meet a budget they just don’t seem to ever get their arms around, they move diligently and quickly. They argue, sometimes convincingly, that these increased taxes and or rates are required to meet the needs of the citizens they serve to better provide services and protection for our community.
Then comes the issue of fireworks. They discuss and decide to put it to an advisory vote of the people. Guess we can’t be trusted to make the decision ourselves by a simple vote.
The citizens vote and it is 63 percent in favor of the ban. They discuss it again and their own council Public Safety Committee votes 2-1 to ban fireworks. Now they need further discussion. What is the council waiting for? Perhaps a bottle rocket or a bolt of lightning to act.
I understand that the full council was not present but the delays on an issue that will not take effect until 2017 are distressing. The fireworks ban is in cities all around us. What do the citizens of Kent need to do to have our voices heard?
– George Deering
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