TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Letters To The Editor

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 30, 2008

For Professionals Only

Fireworks, when used for entertainment, are illegal in Florida. State statute 791 mandates that the use of illegal fireworks is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to one year in jail.

There is good reason for this law. According to the National Fire Protection Association, consumer fireworks cause more than 9,000 accidents each year requiring treatment in a medical facility. In addition, fireworks cause more than 20,000 fires each year.

Exploding fireworks are a nuisance and a danger to neighbors, and they cause trauma to domestic animals, including horses. According to state law, local law enforcement has the responsibility to enforce the law.

If an officer or deputy tells you that the use of exploding fireworks in a neighborhood is not illegal, get their name and badge number and report it to the local police chief or sheriff. They have a responsibility to enforce the law.

You have the right to be safe and enjoy the Fourth of July. In Tampa call 231-6130 to report the illegal use of fireworks, and in Hillsborough County call 247-8200.

For those people who want to see fireworks this July 4, attend one of the professional displays that are scheduled. They are safe, free and you will be a good neighbor. For more information, visit the Citizens for a Safer Florida Web site at www.cfasflorida.org.

WOFFORD JOHNSON

Tampa

An American Tradition
I am surprised at the number of people demonizing fireworks! Fireworks are an American tradition, an event of celebration, a way for patriotic Americans to say, "We love America; we love the freedom living in America allows, and part of that freedom is the right to use fireworks in our celebrations!"

Many of our childhood memories are vivid with pictures in our minds of the beauty and majesty of our country's freedom being celebrated with beautiful lighted skies, picnics by the lake and children with sparklers having the times of their lives!

With the current economy, gas prices sky-high and unemployment at its highest in a long time, we want to forget all of that for one day. We will stand up and say it is the anniversary of our independence, and we will celebrate it while lighting up the sky!

DONNA STEWART

Tampa

TECO Hurting Kentucky

I would love to see a couple of your reporters come to eastern Kentucky - Hazard, in particular - and look at how your need for coal to produce electricity in Tampa and in Florida is devastating our mountains.

TECO is a huge coal company up here and uses mountain top removal to get at the coal. While you claim to be environmentalists and want to protect your "pristine" coastline, our state is being destroyed.

Come up, do a report on TECO, and let's really see what hypocrites Floridians really are!

WILLIAM R. ELAM

Corbin, Ky.

A Beautiful Headline

Hallelujah! "Rays' Stadium Unravels" - what a beautiful headline. It's about time somebody got some sense into their heads.

With a perfectly good air-conditioned, covered stadium with plenty of parking already at our disposal, why in the world would someone want to go to an open-air, hot, steamy stadium with possible thunderstorms?

If the Rays' owners want that kind of place, let them pay for it. Our taxes are needed for important things.

The folks who go to the games now are more than paying their fair share.

GERTRUDE McWILLIAMS

Valrico

Clearer Minds Prevail

Regarding "Rays' Stadium Unravels" (front page, June 26):

Thank heavens clearer minds have prevailed. I'm very pleased that the powers that be have taken the high road and decided to shelve their plans for a new stadium.

There were just too many things wrong with building it at the proposed site. This is a decision that has to be made after careful examination with no hurried timeline. I am a Rays fan and attend several games a year, but would not have if I had to search for parking and sit in the inclement weather associated with our summer afternoons and evenings.

I believe there are some very important factors to consider in any new park. Location and easy access are the most important.

I still think a site in Hillsborough County - maybe near Raymond James Stadium - would be the best option. There is a huge fan base there, and I would attend many more games.

Also, I think the stadium should have a retractable roof. While more expensive, it's a necessity in Florida. Just ask the Astros or Brewers if they regret their decision to build their multiuse stadiums. Besides baseball, the stadium would have many other uses year-round.

It's a plan most people could get behind and enthusiastically support. Go Rays!

TIM OLCOTT

Tampa

Twisting The Constitution

Thank you for the letters of June 26 correcting a previous letter writer's error regarding a recent Supreme Court ruling.

During the Nuremberg war trials, American counsels for Nazi defendants made a motion to the bench that these men be allowed their Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to testify. American Justice Michael A. Musmanno correctly denied the motion, saying that the Constitution is not a universal document and applies only to American citizens. Non-American citizens have no rights, period!

In another recent ruling, the Supreme Court decided an illegal alien guilty of entering into a sham marriage to thwart his deportation be allowed to stay in our country until his actual status can be "reviewed." This means that in excess of 20 million illegal aliens have just been granted amnesty.

Instead of impeaching the offending Supreme Court justices for the "high crimes" of fraud, Congress continues to acquiesce, giving aid and comfort to these black-robed criminals.A nation of laws? Don't make me laugh!

JOHN REINER

Tampa

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT