CORRESPONDENCE - #43 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orozco, Norma From: Lopez, Jessie Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2021 9:39 PM To: eComment Subject: FW: City Council Meeting on December 21 regarding banning Safe and Sane Fireworks Dear Council Members Penaloza, Bacerra, Mendoza, Lopez and Phan As someone who has lived in Santa Ana since 1952, a resident of Wilshire Square since 1976, and the Chair of Santa Ana United Methodist Churches Trustees as well as the Fireworks Committee, I was deeply disturbed that the Santa Ana City Council, on such short notice, would take up the topic of banning the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks in Santa Ana to address the hazardous conditions created by the use of illegal fireworks. I am not exactly sure where to start since illegal fireworks are in use almost year round in Santa Ana and I have heard and seen them on Mother's Day, Easter, and many other weekends that have absolutely nothing to do with the 4th of July or the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks. There are 34 cities in Orange County with only a few authorizing the limited timeframe sale and use of Safe and Sane fireworks, and yet there are complaints from all 34 related to the use of illegal fireworks, I am having difficulty connecting the dots between the sale and use of Safe and Sane fireworks on four days in July, in a select group of cities, and the continual bombardment I and many others in cities throughout the County experience all year long. Local schools, clubs and churches need to raise funds to support youth activities, Try and raise $18,000 in five days of volunteer work selling candy bars. I find it rather ironic that the City Council is considering taking away this revenue stream that has benefited so many of our City youth through funds generated by these volunteer workers and the groups that they support. The choice to ban the sale is even more hurtful for some groups given the impact of Covid-19 on their other fund raising activities. For some, the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks was their only revenue stream in the last couple of years. I have run a fireworks booth for over 25 years, and the monies generated from our efforts have benefited the youth in our Church by underwriting camping funds and most recently, have been directed to providing $1,000 scholarships for our young folks who have graduated High School and are now moving on to college. For some of these young folks, they will be the first in their families to attend college, and the net profits from last years sales have already been dispersed to 19 young men and women who are now enrolled in higher education. We have students in local community colleges as well as Boise State, Humboldt State, Cal State Fullerton, IVC, and one in a Master's program at Cal State Long Beach. Yes, # 1,000 does not go far on some of these campuses, but these young people are the face of our future and our City and County. Our congregation has made a commitment to helping them in any way we can. I consider the funds generated by the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks money well spent on their futures. The loss of this revenue stream will have a significant impact not only on our organization's efforts to assist our youth, but on numerous other programs throughout the City of Santa Ana. From my understanding, there are over 80 non-profit groups in Santa Ana using funds raised by the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks who have done good work for many years through this revenue stream. And yet now, for whatever reason, the City Council is considering banning the sale to address a problem that has absolutely no connection, no matter how hard you stretch it, to the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks. Safe and Sane fireworks do not serve as a cover for the use of illegal fireworks. just ask the residents of Wilshire Square. How many nights are illegal fireworks being set off? And these illegal explosions, rockets, and aerial display events happen even during the day all year long, So where is the connection? I also find in rather ironic that this particular topic should come before the Council at this time of year, when so many leaders in these non-profit groups, that will be impacted by a negative decision, have family