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That Time Of Year - Again

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 17, 2007

As I was walking to the store the other night, I noticed that the first fireworks tent has bloomed. Starting around Dec. 27, we will be hearing the first poppings of bottle rockets, as kids who are already tired of their new toys will take to the streets as soon as the sun goes down. As we get nearer to New Year's Eve, the cacophony will grow louder. Small children will be woken from sleep scared and crying, cats will run for the nearest couch and dogs, that up until now were housebroken, will relieve themselves all over the place.

Welcome to Florida, where twice a year the firework salesmen come out in droves to sell their illegal wares to people looking for another way to celebrate the New Year. Apparently just screaming "Happy New Year" shortly after midnight while hugging a loved one doesn't do it anymore.

Why does the state allow this to happen? Aren't fireworks that are airborne or leave a two-foot hole in the ground illegal?

How many more accidents have to occur before something is really done?

ROSS FERRARO

Riverview

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