Kira Erickson reports from the Island County Commissioners board meeting of Tue., Jan. 23, 2024 for the Whidbey News-Times.
This week, the Board of Island County Commissioners adopted a resolution in a 2-1 vote banning consumer use of mortar fireworks in the county. Additionally, the resolution prohibits the discharge of fireworks on July 5. Fines of up to $250 may apply for violations.
For over a year now, Commissioner Melanie Bacon has been a steady proponent of limiting firework usage, citing concerns about igniting wildfires and causing harm to people, animals and property.
From the start, Commissioner Jill Johnson – the sole opposing vote – has been vocal about not wanting to support a policy restricting fireworks.
The latest proposal approved Jan. 23 is a result of months of the commissioners discussing and fine-tuning a measure that would satisfy both sides of the debate. Commissioner Janet St. Clair said it was the compromise she was willing to accept.
They Said It
St. Clair expressed surprise that the resolution didn’t also include a restriction on sales of mortar fireworks. Island County Sheriff Rick Felici said it will create confusion for people if it is still legal to sell mortars at stands in the county. Though the board initially considered banning sales, the county Prosecuting Attorney’s Office advised the commissioners that this would be a substantive change.
Commissioners also had concerns about enforcement. Felici agreed significant work needs to be done for places where fireworks are already not allowed, such as the county’s public parks.
“However, keep in mind that we are fixing a problem that’s been allowed to fester for 30 or 40 years,” he said.
St. Clair said she appreciated hearing the emotion on both sides.
“As someone who grew up loving these traditions, I understand how passionate we can feel about the traditions we hold dear,” she said. “And on the other side I also have paid close attention to the impact of climate change and wildfire risk.”
Bacon said not all traditions should be retained, and that the county’s No. 1 job is public safety.
“We do not want to be what Maui saw,” she said. “We want to do everything we can to avoid that happening to us. We actually saw a house burn down on South Whidbey last July.”
Johnson, on the other hand, was appreciative to hear some of the comments that she said align with her personal beliefs about tradition. She said she doesn’t like the sound of motorcycles or the Oak Harbor Yacht Club’s cannon during parades, but that does not mean it’s something she’s eager to prohibit.
“I feel a little like the irony of banning celebratory behavior in association with a celebration of freedom is a little hard to swallow, for me,” she said. “This is a celebration of our rights and then government turns around and takes them from you.”
She added that part of these traditions are life skills development for kids, who are denied the ability to learn and grow when certain parts are banned. She did acknowledge that wildfires are a legitimate concern.
