Let’s ban the boom

At 10 p.m. on July 4, when all the dishes are done and the barbecue food is put away, it would be nice to relax and enjoy the evening.

At 10 p.m. on July 4, when all the dishes are done and the barbecue food is put away, it would be nice to relax and enjoy the evening. But no. Living by the Muckleshoot Reservation means a night of terror from loud mortar shells being shot into the night sky.

In Auburn we have a law, “if it goes up and if it blows up, it is illegal.” One would be hard pressed to find a law more blatantly ignored and violated.

In my neighborhood we are removed a bit from the downtown core, so seldom is there a patrol to enforce this mostly unenforceable rule.

My neighbor has been shooting off mortar fireworks now and then since sales began in May. There is a poof and a loud explosion that shakes the windows. This is a regular occurrence every year because the tribe can and does sell just about anything. And certainly there is a lot more “bang” for the buck these days.

It is akin to suffering from PTSD with the constant loud explosions. Firecrackers are small potatoes anymore. These mortars are “going up” and certainly “blowing up.” Each year the products get larger and louder.

One would argue that there is not much about celebration of our country here because if we honor our country, then we obey the laws. I long for the day when fireworks no longer are allowed at all in our community. Sponsored shows done by professionals are enough fireworks for most of us.

I implore the Muckleshoot Tribe to end this yearly barrage. Honor the land you and I share, and bring back peace and quiet for good.

– Nancy Schumaker