Laserfiche WebLink
Orozco, Norma <br /> From: Leon Raya <lwrpsr1 @gmail.com> <br /> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 4:16 PM <br /> To: eComment <br /> Subject: City Council Meeting April 19 Item 28 <br /> Dear Mayor Vicente Sarmiento and City Council, <br /> I am writing regarding Item 28 on the April 19, 2022 City of Santa Ana City Council Business Calendar- Charter Review of <br /> Ad Hoc Recommendation on Fireworks, to let you know we are against a ban of the sale and use of Safe and Sane <br /> fireworks in Santa Ana. The RAYA Foundation and many other outstanding Santa Ana nonprofits rely heavily on the <br /> proceeds generated by the sale of fireworks during Fourth of July. These proceeds allow us to provide low-cost and free <br /> sports activities,workshops and events to the youth of Santa Ana. <br /> The concern expressed by those opposed seems to focus on the health aspects of the use of fireworks. We believe the <br /> health and safety impacts are minimal. There are other health and safety items in the City that should be a greater <br /> priority for the City Council such as the unavailability of affordable healthy food, educating the community the benefits <br /> of nutrition and exercise and increasing Parks and Recreation activities and improved access to affordable health <br /> care. In addition, Safe and Sane firework sales are for three days a year and are heavily regulated and policed by the <br /> City. It is also our understanding that the incidents of injury and damage caused by fireworks in Santa Ana are caused <br /> by illegal fireworks. <br /> It is the increased use of illegal fireworks that is the primary health and safety issue. We believe that instead of a broad <br /> ban on all fireworks,the City should increase policing of the sale and use of illegal fireworks. It's not hard to see and find <br /> illegal fireworks being set off during any time of the year in particular Christmas,January 1, and Tet New Year let alone <br /> during Fourth of July. <br /> The banning of the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks not only deprives non-profits who provide services to youth and <br /> families a prime source of proceeds, it also denies families the choice of celebrating the Fourth of July with traditional <br /> fireworks. In my neighborhood, Ward 3, this past year I observed 80 percent of the households on our block (Sharon <br /> Road and River Drive) enjoying Safe and Sane fireworks. Banning Safe and Sane fireworks is a step too far. <br /> 1 <br />