Upper Bear Creek Unincorporated Area Council

Serving 22,000 people in north-central King County
between the Sammamish and Snoqualmie Rivers and
north of Redmond and east of Woodinville.

 

UPPER BEAR CREEK COMMUNITY COUNCIL PUBLIC FORUM

 

 

Date: March 28, 2006

Time: 7:30 – 9:10 PM

Location: Woodinville Water District Offices

Board Attendees: Mary Filkins, Geoff Clayton, Nancy Stafford. Jerry Hicks

CountyAttendees: Marissa Algeria,

Community Attendees: Nona Henderson, Elisabeth C Carey, Gary Lukowski, Thomas and Barbara Terranova, Alan Robbe.

 

Our thanks for Harry Reinert who took the place of Assistant Fire Marshall Gay Johnson and brought information on a proposal DDES is working on to ban fireworks in King County. This would not ban displays of fireworks done by professionals with permits in public places.

“Safe and Sane” fireworks and “Illegal” fireworks cause about the same amount of damage to users and property according to the State Fire Marshall web site. A ban would target primarily 4 th of July and New Years Eve fireworks. One half of King County cities already ban fireworks.

Permits are required to run Firework stands. Cost to vender is $100. , cost to King County is $300. so our taxes subsidize neighborhood fireworks stands

Over half the firework stand permits issued are to home addresses in cities to do business in unincorporated areas. Unincorporated areas surrounded by cities (Skyway & No. Highland) are especially impacted by fireworks and support a ban proposal.

The proposed ban is in the interest of health and safety. Reported property losses in King County in ’03 = $300K., “04 = 41K, “05 = over 1 million dollars. Harborview Hospital is tracking physical injuries due to fireworks.

Those attending the meeting were unanimous in support of a ban on fireworks, sighting property damage (fire danger to homes), loss of sleep due to noise, masses of “morning after” litter, illegal use of public parks/lands, endangering forest lands and trespass issues. Concern for the extreme distress of many animals (domestic and wild) caused by fireworks was stressed.

We are encouraged to contact our representative Kathy Lambert and others on the King County Council, letting them know our opinions on this proposal that may reach Executive Rom Sims within 6 weeks. If a ban is passed by the council before July `1 “06, it would take effect 12 months later. King County Council members who represent portions of unincorporated are Kathy Lambert, Reagan Dunn and Dow Constantine. Information on King County Council members is found in your phone books and on the web at www.metro.gov\mkcc.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00. Next public forum meeting April 25 th , same time and place.