Well, here we go again. Another year has gone by where the City Council has done nothing to address the fireworks ban that we sorely need.

I’ve lived here over 35 years. Every year it gets worse, and all we get from the council is that they are reviewing the situation. Every year they receive more and more letters and complaints to no avail.

The police and fire departments are stressed already and can’t respond to the hundreds of calls received over illegal use of fireworks for the several weeks before and after July 4.

I invite them to come camp out in my front yard and listen to the onslaught of noise day and night that rattles our nerves, keeps us awake and frightens our pets.

With the hot weather and dry conditions that it appears we will be dealing with this summer, now is the time for them to step up and do what is right for the citizens of Kent and our environment. Ban the use of fireworks except for authorized and monitored shows. Stop the sales of them like Renton and Auburn did.

The fire danger alone this summer should make them stop and think about the effects.

We realize there will always be people who think they are above the law, but banning them in the city may help. It’s a step in the right direction. It may be their own homes they save this year.

– Dana Lustofin