Letters to the Editor: On July 4 Displays

Cheers for lasers

I see many letters from people who are indignant that Morro Bay is skipping the fireworks this year. Well, I’m thrilled!

I live in Morro Bay Heights, and the fireworks have been an annual nightmare at my house, dreaded for weeks beforehand. It is as though the house is being bombed. I think about the British in World War II. My cats are terrified. There’s no place to hide.

The wildlife must also be quite stressed out by it.

Three cheers for the laser light show! Three cheers for Morro Bay!

Rosalie Valvo

Morro Bay

Rockets’ red glare

Here’s a question for you oh-so-politically correct citizens of Morro Bay. What part of “and the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” are you unable to understand?

The Fourth of July is a celebration of the independence of the finest country that has ever existed! It is a recognition of those who died to establish our great nation and those who were wounded or perished while protecting her freedoms in the intervening centuries. Now you are actually putting the convenience of a handful of birds above the honor of our country and of her freedom fighters!

For 13 months I fought for this nation alongside many fine young Marines. Very few came back alive and whole. And now you, Morro Bay, you want to honor these men with a TV show instead of the live fireworks that are so representative of the trials of our nation. You disgust me!

Perhaps someday, if you can convince St. Peter to open his gates to you, you’ll have the chance to explain your weakness to those men who died for you. Finally, though Morro Bay contains some of my favorite shops and restaurants, I’ll never spend a dime there again. 

Phil Harwick

Arroyo Grande

Wise decision

Congratulations to Morro Bay for its wise plan to do a laser show on July 4 instead of fireworks, which are so harmful to wildlife. It is difficult to buck tradition. Many will say, “Let’s do it the way we’ve always done it.” Following that line of reasoning will mean we can never improve things.

Elaine Townsend

San Luis Obispo

Adjustments

I’ve adjusted to people taking dogs to the Cayucos July Fourth parade. People and their dogs at the Cayucos Farmers Market on Friday mornings is another thing. However, I no doubt will get adjusted to the dogs there, too.

Let’s face it, the bottom line is Cayucos people love their dogs!

George Lewis

Cayucos

Ban fireworks

I enjoy the public fireworks displays provided by cities like Pismo Beach.

Why do we need the “legal” fireworks sold at the booths lining Grand Avenue in Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande?

Each year hundreds of people are injured plus property damage, wildfires and pollution are caused by “legal” fireworks.

Increased visits to emergency rooms, cleanup and pollution plus the cost of additional fire and police personnel must be greater than the fees and taxes the cities receive.

Grover Beach receives less than $3,000 from permits, plus a small percentage of the sales taxes. Does this cover the real costs of “legal” fireworks? Why support an activity that is costly to the taxpayers and causes injuries to people, pets and the environment?

To the organizations that have booths, such as the Grover Beach Chamber of Commence, do you want your name associated with an activity that causes injury to people, pets and the environment?

I ask that the all cities ban the use and sale of “legal” fireworks because it’s the right thing to do. You can have a safe, sane and patriotic Fourth of July without them. 

Susan G. Gates

Grover Beach