To the editor:
I am writing to encourage all Lincoln County leaders, decision makers, and residents to support joining an increasing number of municipalities in switching from traditional fireworks to a drone show. The benefits are as many as they are obvious. Drone shows don’t cause noise trauma to people with PTSD, children or animals; they don’t use toxic materials; they don’t cause a risk of fire. They are, however, reusable, rechargeable and re-programable.
It blew my mind that all across the country people continued on with business as usual when it came to “celebrating” the 4th of July with fireworks while millions face a relentless summer of smoke and poor air quality caused by wildfires that isn’t expected to end anytime soon. Just last week, Detroit’s air pollution was worse than any other city in the entire world. Yet, collectively we all decided that shooting off more explosives into the air and creating more pollution and risking more fires was a good idea.
What is patriotic about polluting the air we all breathe and putting our land at risk for our amusement?
Patriotism is having love for or being devoted to one’s country. Well. I love and am devoted to our county. Our county gives us more reasons to move away from traditional fireworks than most.
In Lincoln City alone there are 7.5 miles of beaches we love to comb. Depoe Bay hosts 200 resident whales we all delight in. Newport serves as the center of the commercial fishing industry that contributes millions of dollars into the regions economy we all benefit from. The Siuslaw National Forest runs up and down the county and nurtures all of us whether we enjoy hiking through it, camping in it or just breathing the clean air it helps provide.
I just named a few but the natural resources Lincoln County provides are innumerable. Protecting those natural resources is the most patriotic thing we can do. Moving to a drone show on the 4th of July would be a big and very visible step in that direction. Coming together to make that happen would truly be something to celebrate — no fireworks necessary.
— Mary Kate McVey, Depoe Bay
Unfortunately there isn’t a good substitute for aerial fireworks. They are an important part of freedom. Oregon banned decent fireworks over 50 years ago. Sometimes freedom is only when things go your way. You are free to enjoy fireworks, or don’t. I suspect based on the crowds at Waldport, you are in the minority. Fire danger is endemic with personal and illegal fireworks, not aerial shows.