My Stand on Measure G - The Fireworks Ordinance

By Scott Buschman

Please read following paper regarding a complicated issue

Many residents have asked me how I stand on Measure G. And though it is now up out of the council's hands and for the voters to decide, I'm honest about my stand. I'm against it.

Measure G is a complicated issue and I think it's important voters understand as much about it as possible.

Over the years, cities on the Peninsula have each banned the sale and use of fireworks because of the safety issue. Today, San Bruno and Pacifica are the only cities in San Mateo County that allow Safe and Sane fireworks. In 2001, the San Mateo County Grand Jury recommended that we ban them stating "...the sale of fireworks in San Bruno ... has an adverse affect on all communities within our county." The San Mateo County Fire Prevention Association stated ".. fireworks should be limited to professional public displays."

And every year, the City of South San Francisco sends our council a letter asking them to consider banning fireworks because of people buying them in our city and using them in their city.

I have enjoyed doing fireworks with my family and friends in San Bruno on many Fourth of Julys. While we have always done them responsibly, I have witnessed others not being as responsible and doing illegal fireworks with the legal ones.

I know the non-profits raise a lot of money in a short period of time through the sale of fireworks. I think we have all waited too long to explore other avenues of funding for these groups. Groups in other cities have been forced to change their fundraising methods when fireworks were banned in their cities. What did they do to fill that gap? Regardless of the outcome of Measure G, we need to explore alternatives.

Our city held a special meeting last year to discuss alternative ways to raise money but virtually no one discussed alternatives. Out of about 100 speakers, half simply said we should ban fireworks and the other half said we needed to allow the sale of them to continue. No new ideas or thoughts were brought up. What a missed opportunity!

After the 4th of July in 2004, both our police and fire chiefs said they were concerned with the health and safety of our citizens. Emergency personnel had witnessed safe and sane fireworks being set off in conjunction with illegals. Some residents spoke about the "war zone" they felt they were in and retreated inside their homes. Others were afraid of a possible fire so they watered down their roofs. The holiday is supposed to be about celebrating our independence as a free country. It's a time for all of us citizens to come together. Instead, it is separating us. Neighbor against neighbor. City against city. People should not have to fear this holiday. We should be respectful of our neighbors.

I do not want to risk the real possibility of an injury or fire. I do not want residents fearful in their homes. It is not fair. Let us all come together to help the non-profits another way.

The other part or Measure G that bothers me is the way it is worded. If it passes, the City Council can never ban fireworks, no matter how out of control it gets. Any future ban would have to go back to the vote of the people. What's wrong with that, you may ask? With the fireworks industry spending more than $20,000 for consultants, strategists, voter targeting, phone banking, mailers, and lawn signs, ...this year to make sure it passes, what would it take for those against fireworks to put up a strong fight?

I ask you to consider this information so you understand my position.

Thank you.