At the Lynnwood City Council meeting on June 10th of this year, I was joined by other members of the Lynnwood City Council in asking Lynnwood City Staff to revisit the Lynnwood Municipal Code ban on firework discharge within city limits for the 4th of July. We asked staff to bring back language for the Council to consider that would permit reasonable and responsible fireworks use in our neighborhoods on Independence Day.
We are not advocating for the use of loud mortars that shoot into the air, explosive concussive blasts, or similar fireworks in our neighborhoods. However, I do believe that as responsible members of the community, we should be allowed to incorporate safe and reasonable fireworks into our celebrations.
Ground fountains without overly loud percussive explosions, sparklers, snaps, poppers, snakes, and similar ground-based fireworks should be removed from the Fireworks prohibition in our code. We can have fireworks as part of our important 4th of July celebrations, without harming the environment, people or pets around us, and it is time our code reflected that.
Please contact you City Councilmember and ask them to join me in finding a balance in our ability to enjoy fireworks, without harming our neighbors or the environment.
Let’s bring back fireworks as part of the patriotic, joyful celebration in remembrance of what our forefathers fought for and sacrificed for in the War of Independence.
You can find and contact your City Councilmember by visiting the Lynnwood City Council home page at https://www.lynnwoodwa.gov/Government/City-Council and clicking on the “Contact City Council” link on the right side of the page.
The 4th of July – A Holiday for Gathering and Celebrating
The American Revolution was a struggle for independence from Britain that lasted from 1775 to 1783. It began with a series of protests against British taxes and policies that the colonists considered unfair and oppressive. The colonists formed a Continental Congress to coordinate their resistance and declared their independence on July 4, 1776.
As Americans, the 4th of July has become one of our most favored holidays. It is often the first big summer event, bringing family and friends together to celebrate the blessings of this great land and the bounty given us from heaven.
The traditional 4th of July backyard gathering is a popular part of family and community building. Sizzling steaks or hamburgers on the grill, mountains of potato salad, sweet corn on the cob, fresh fruit, chips and ice-cold beverages bring an ease and relaxed atmosphere to the gathering seldom seen elsewhere. Couple that with the smell of fresh cut grass, bright sun, and the sound of family and friends talking and laughing, there really is nothing better to heal the soul and help us forget the worries of the world, even if just for a few hours! It is a simple but enjoyable way of celebrating with the people who matter the most to us.
The Role of Fireworks in Celebrating the Revolution
Fireworks have been a part of the 4th of July celebration of Independence Day since the very beginning. In 1777, the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia and Boston held elaborate fireworks displays that included rockets, candles, and shells. John Adams, one of the founding fathers, wrote in a letter that the day should be commemorated with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
The Meaning of Fireworks Today
Today, fireworks are still an essential part of Independence Day festivities around the country. They are a symbol of the freedom and democracy that the revolutionaries fought for and achieved. They also remind us of the sacrifices and hardships that our forefathers endured in the war. Fireworks are a time-honored way of remembering the past, celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future of our great nation.
Respectful and Responsible 4th of July Celebrations
While Fireworks are integral to the celebration of our Nation’s independence, they can also be a cause for concern for animals and people. The loud noises and bright flashes of traditional fireworks can scare and stress pets. Some veterans of wars suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fireworks can trigger painful memories and anxiety. Fireworks that shoot into the sky can pose a fire hazard, especially in dry or windy conditions. They can land on roofs, trees, or power lines, and start fires that can spread quickly and cause damage to property and lives. However, fireworks can still be enjoyed in our neighborhoods without causing these types of distress, or creating safety concerns, provided they are used in a respectful, responsible manner.
Patrick Decker
Lynnwood City Councilman
Patrick Decker (段仕诚 – पैट्रिक् डेकर) has been a resident of Lynnwood for over thirty five years. He is married to his wife of 27 years, who is a first-generation immigrant from Thailand. They own a home here and have raised their three sons in this community.
He is employed at Microsoft in the Xbox Gaming Studio Business Group, focusing on Strategic Licensing Agreements. He is a graduate of Edmonds College, and the University of Washington Henry M Jackson School of International Studies, with a double bachelor’s degree in Asian studies and Chinese Language and Literature.
Councilman Decker is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and for fun last year he read the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West” in Chinese. He is also a third-degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and was ranked nationally for two years.
For fun, Patrick likes to spend time with his family, hiking, backpacking, and travelling. He is also an avid sailor, and you will often find him and his family sailing Puget Sound.
DISCLAIMER: The views and comments expressed are those of the writer and not those of the Lynnwood City Council nor Lynnwood City Government.
