It’s summertime, and one of my favorite things to do when I fly home after a long day of ruffling feathers is to pull up a perch and bask in the early evening sun as it paints the sky a bashful pink. It’s soothing, and I love the calm it brings—that is until it’s interrupted by a harsh boom, followed by the sizzle of sparks floating back to earth. What the heck is that all about?
Happy early Fourth of July.
I love shiny sparkly things as much as the next birdie, but only when I expect to see them. Otherwise, they are just scary. And not just to me. Dogs and cats who can’t wrap their little pet brains around what those surprise explosions are get downright terrified. Small children trying to fall asleep are startled and parents who want their small children to get that sleep, get mad.
What really burns my beak is that the people shooting those fireworks aren’t overzealous with patriotic sentiment, they just want the adrenaline rush of seeing and hearing something explode. Not cool.
Heads up, for those seeking a pyrotechnic thrill: Santa Maria has adopted new rules only allowing fireworks during a 12-hour window from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. To make sure that’s followed, the Santa Maria Police Department has stepped up patrols, according to Sgt. Russ Mengel, and the city’s implemented fines. Those can get pretty pricey—it’s up to $1,000 if you’re caught lighting illegal fireworks—just ask the handful of people police have already caught and fined.
The changes came about after community members, spearheaded by Libby Walling, a board member with the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, testified before the Santa Maria City Council about the negative effects fireworks can have on pets, especially when they aren’t just happening during a one-day celebration but a weeks-long spree.
As Walling and other animal supporters have shown, speaking out can make a difference. Right now, concerned residents will have a chance to have their voices heard on another safety issue.
The EPA is seeking public comments in regard to another settlement involving cleanup of the Casmalia toxic dump.
The settlement means $1.7 million will be paid out to the EPA and go toward the estimated $284 million it will cost to clean up the site. So far, the EPA has collected more than $116 million from nine other settlements to offset that cost.
Of course there is still a long way to go, and thousands of companies large and small contributed to the mess. Only a few have been absolved of their liabilities so far. Hold them accountable. Speak up.
Details of the actual cleanup haven’t yet been worked out but the EPA’s press officer, Nahal Mogharabi, said the public will get a chance to weigh in on that, too. But that’s in the future so keep your eyes peeled.
The public comment period for this proposed settlement ends on July 27; get your thoughts ready.
The Canary is going to hide inside until the fireworks stop. Send her some emails to read at canary@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 30 – Jul 7, 2016.
