To the editor:

We’re told this may be the last year of fireworks in Lawrence, like we are children who must be polite or be sent to our rooms. Picture the giggling children, the ohhhs and the ahhhs over splashes of color, the thrill of picking out fireworks, examining the colorful wrappings, the generations of Lawrence families gathered in the yard in celebration.

Now, imagine it all being gone, a Lawrence that observes the Fourth of July as a sleepy day with only a brief city-controlled display offered to silence our Fourth of July spirit.

Talk of outlawing fireworks is unpatriotic and surprisingly sour move in this post-9-11 world. If there is concern about fireworks why outlaw all fireworks? I doubt a person could ignite a fire with firecrackers if they tried. Lawrence last year had $275,645 in fireworks damage, according to the June 30 J-W, but what about 1995 to 2000 when it totaled $375? Other activities cause more than $375 in damage should we outlaw them ? (i.e., walking in the park with damage to grass). As far as $275,645, what specifically caused the damages? Should we outlaw that particular type of firework, not all fireworks similar to outlawing only bottle rockets years ago?

Any move to outlaw fireworks should come only after a citywide vote in the spirit of democratic participation, not by commissioners.

Kevin Kelly,

Lawrence