Ban supported

To the editor:

In response to Eric Garrett’s letter in the Oct. 27 issue, and to “the majority of Lawrence citizens” who support his viewpoint, I pose the following question: Where were you all the night the Lawrence City Commission heard the public’s views on fireworks? I was there to assert my support of a ban, but to the best of my recollection, the majority of those who voiced opposition were simply those who owned fireworks stands.

I would like those fireworks supporters who accuse the rest of us of being unpatriotic to explain to me how having to control your own private, noisy, messy, and dangerous fireworks display every year makes you more patriotic than the rest of us? Now that the ban is in effect, will you continue to be as “patriotic” by donating an equal amount of money and time to organizations that legitimately help make this country better, such as food pantries, homeless shelters and organizations that search for cures for disease? Will you become a mentor? Will you fight to help address the woeful understaffing of our Veterans Administration hospitals, where real patriotsour veteransare not able to receive the full attention they deserve despite the valiant efforts of those who work there?

Or will you just continue to complain because this issue is really all about you and your self-centered games?

I extend my thanks to those city council members who had the good sense and courage to support this ban.

Sue Novak,

Lawrence