SOUNDING OFF
Although a new firework ordinance in Allendale Township sounds like a drag, it may just be warranted after all
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Fireworks are, undoubtedly, a great American pastime. Here in the good old U. S., we not only celebrate out independence with grand displays of exploding light, but we work them into nearly any situation we can manage – in the past, with great difficulty in Michigan, due to laws prohibiting their distribution within state lines.
In January of this year, fireworks became legal to buy, sell and light off on private property without any kind of permit to do so, and after years of buying fireworks illegally when driving through Indiana, the Great Lakes state celebrated. With non-stop fireworks. From Great Lake to shining Great Lake.
Michiganders all lost their minds over fireworks going legal, screeches and bangs rang out throughout all of the neighborhoods, throughout all of the night, and sometimes into the morning, waking babies up, scaring old people, and eventually starting fires and injuring careless or intoxicated users of the explosives.
People of Michigan: this is why we can’t have nice things.
It doesn’t take a genius to see why fireworks are great – they’re pretty, there are a million different kinds and colors, and during those long summer nights, it’s just something fun to do. However, it doesn’t take a genius to see why fireworks are a risk – they have the word fire in them, for starters, and something Grand Valley State University’s Assistant Director of the Grand Valley Police Department, Capt. Brandon DeHaan, aptly called an “inherent danger.”
In greater Grand Rapids, one man caused $32,000 in damage with a simple little bottle rocket, because the embers set the dry ground ablaze. So last month, Grand Rapids City Commissioners passed an ordinance that prohibits the use of fireworks to the 10 major national holidays, and the day before and after each. The measured followed dozens like it across the state, each new ordinance reacting to the citizens haphazard use of fireworks.
In a less extreme case of tom-foolery in GVSU’s own backyard in the off-campus apartment complex Hillcrest at the end of June, somebody was shooting off a bottle rocket, and because of the record-setting hot, dry temperatures this summer – wait for it – the embers set the dry ground ablaze. So now, Allendale Township’s City Commission is deciding how best to proceed with an ordinance that would prohibit the use of fireworks to the 10 major national holidays, and the day before and after each. An ordinance that Allendale Township Supervisor Jerry Alkema told the Lanthorn he “anticipates (they) will pass.”
And as much as it sounds like a major buzz kill to say it’s a good idea, it probably is. And the proof? Just look on the scorched patches of ground across the state of Michigan, and you’ll see what we mean.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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