The LuLac Edition #4,351, July 15th, 2020

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

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In yesterday’s edition, under our “Maybe I’m Amazed” category we wrote about the loud booms in every neighborhood in LuLac land over the 4th of July. The Times Shamrock editorial board had something to say about that and we share it with you this week.

HOW ACT 43 RUINED THE FOURTH OF JULY

Was your neighbor’s fireworks extravaganza louder, longer and more spectacular this Fourth of July? Maybe it was a surge of patriotism. Or the pent-up boredom of the pandemic. Or the cancellation of large-scale public fireworks displays and other holiday diversions.
But more than likely Act 43 was the main contributor to the days-long barrage that left your ears ringing, your pets cringing, your street littered with debris and your neighborhood reeking from a sulfurous haze even your COVID mask could not defeat.
Passed by the state General Assembly in 2017, Act 43 legalized the private purchase and use of aerial fireworks in Pennsylvania. And every Fourth of July since has been bigger and badder.
As often happens in Harrisburg, the bright lights of new revenue — fireworks sales are taxed at 18 percent rather than usual 6 — blinded legislators to the possible downsides of handing airborne explosives to summer revelers across the Commonwealth.
While the law bans the use of aerial fireworks within 150 feet of any structure, the limit is obviously being ignored here in Wyoming Valley and we assume everywhere else. The fine for an infraction is a paltry $100 and catching perpetrators in the act is difficult for police who are spending their time running between hundreds of noise complaints on the days surrounding the Fourth.
There were more than 250 noise or fireworks calls in Wilkes-Barre alone this past holiday weekend and Geisinger hospitals in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties reported four injuries and one death related to fireworks. The mayhem has united the city’s mayor, council, fire chief and police chief in opposition to Act 43 and a public meeting to distribute petitions calling for its repeal attracted between 60 and 80 city residents Wednesday night.
Much of the public is clearly fed up and our local representatives in Harrisburg, some of whom voted in favor of the Act, would be wise to take up the issue in the General Assembly.
A total repeal, or at least amendments that would increase fines and ban the use of aerial fireworks in heavily populated cities and towns, would make the next Fourth of July quieter and safer for all.