To the editor:

Regarding Brent Grosdidier’s letter of Nov. 15, I find it interesting that he feels so justified in asserting the “patriotic rights” of fireworks fans, but when someone with a different opinion challenges these folks to consider the consequences of their actions, he calls it “distasteful badgering” with “off-topic arguments.”

I completely agree with Sue Novak on everything she has argued. Several others have expressed to me that she is also speaking for them, but none of us bothered, thus far, to speak up. It’s about time we did. Fireworks have proliferated in this town to the point that they have little to do with patriotism and are mostly about who can out-explode his neighbor. Three days of it is absurd. I feel for the animals who are frightened by the noise, and after years of picking remnants of explosives out of my yard, I’m reluctant to leave my house over the Fourth because I worry that it will catch on fire while I’m gone.

A total fireworks ban will make it easier for police to find out who is disregarding the law and to enforce that law. My sincere thanks goes to the city commission for its forward thinking.

And to the owners of the fireworks stands, is it “patriotism” you’re fighting for or the almighty dollar? There’s nothing wrong with finding ways to earn a living; I applaud that. But please don’t put the rest of us in danger doing so.

Richmond A. Pray,

Lawrence