Citizens for a Safer Florida, Inc.

Letter to St Pete Times --June 08

Jun 14, 2008

Dear Editor:

Fireworks!! Here we are again approaching the season of battle. There was some hope last year that with the Fireworks Taskforce set up by the state legislature that we would have some legislative agreement to solve this problem. But alas, budget issues and I guess other things pushed the fireworks report to next year. And now we have to endure more war heads and explosions in our neighborhoods. Animals (particularly horses, and I have even heard of cattle) are scared to death, several have met untimely deaths due to heart attacks or suffered irreparable injuries because of panic and running around, and had to be put down. Children have had numerous serious injuries due to these supposedly illegal devices, and adults have no respect for the rights of neighboring citizens. Many feel it is their right to shoot off fireworks, even though, legally only farmers are supposed to have that ability through FS 791. The legislature has tied the hands of all citizens throughout the state now, as no community, county or city, can enact any legislation in regard to fireworks until the legislature acts on the Taskforce Report which was completed in January and presented to them. Citizens may think they should have rights to blow up their neighborhoods and damage and litter other's property, and cause stress and anxiety to humans and animals, but on the other hand, where does this leave the rights of the rest of the citizens?? There is a group working towards solving this dilemma, called CITIZENS FOR A SAFER FLORIDA, INC., website: cfasFlorida.org. Please, if you are concerned about this problem, get involved. Do something!!

Mrs. Corky Findley
Plant City, Florida