There may be more fireworks within the confines of the walls at City Hall than on the Fourth of July.
Kent City Councilmembers seem to agree that a ban on fireworks is imminent and a few new fresh amendments seem to be palatable.
For example, one has reduced the penalty for children under 18 from a $250 fine to a fine of 10 times their present age or possibly community service. Another important one that will make police work a lot easier is that the property owner will be responsible for what takes place on their property.
The real hangup now is the long standing, very popular Kent Fourth of July Splash event.
The Kent Reporter last week said the following: “The ban would allow permitted public displays, such as the Fourth of July show at Lake Meridian. The city fire marshal approves the permits.”
Sounds OK upon first reading, right?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what the present proposed ordinance says and what the paper didn’t say.
Yes, there would be the usual high-rising skyrockets lit by a licensed professional pyrotechnician, but there would be no other fireworks allowed around the lake … not off of docks, not on rafts or from the backyards abutting the lake. Those would all be banned.
Yes, you personally could try to get a permit, get the fire marshal’s approval and hire your own licensed professional pyrotechnician. However, after talking directly to our fire marshal, your chances would be slim to none due to the close proximity of your neighbors, public safety, etc.
I could see in a matter of a few years that neighbors and co-sponsors of this historical event would no longer want to give money to a 20-minute tribute to America’s independence with a single-shot skyrocketing professional pyrotechnician. The grandeur of this event is the fact that the whole lake participates and that’s why it attracts about 4,000 people to Kent.
Seattle has its Space Needle sparkler, Auburn has its Emerald Downs shootout and Kent has its Splash, which is days of fun culminating with its 10 o’clock fireworks display.
Removing the Splash event from Kent would be like removing Seafair from Seattle.
If your interested in joining me to save Splash – I’m calling this movement SOS (Save Our Splash) – call 253-856-5705 and let your City Councilmembers know how you feel, pro or con.
Please don’t let this rich tradition die a slow death. Remember SOS.
Just as an historical note: people were using fireworks on Cow Lake (now renamed Lake Meridian) many years ago. I can remember the huge displays of fireworks set off at Ky Fox’s Resort (now named Kent’s Lake Meridian Park) when I was a boy growing up here.
Reach Les Thomas, Kent City Councilmember, at lthomas@kentwa.gov.
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