http://speakupalaska.com Speak Up Alaska!: Answers for topic "Should Anchorage change or get rid of its new fireworks law?" en-us Thu, 20 Jun 2013 11:52:06 +0000 Copyright: (C) Speak Up Alaska! 30 <p>I loved the display of Fireworks all over Anchorage and the people who is complaining.... they knew the fireworks were approved and the time it was to start they should have been ready for it and put their animals in the house it was broadcast on tv and radio they should have been ready they just need something to complain about so keep it on !!! do not change it i loved the fireworks !!!!! R.L.Neeley</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/140 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/140 <p><span> </span></p><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">We already planning on fireworks for next year since we had such a wonderful time. We don't get to enjoy fireworks on 4th of July due to mother natures extended hours of sun so new years is our one day to have a blast. I think most people <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">feel this way. If they repeal the law APD will spend countless hours chasing fireworks never to find the offender. That is a waste of time and taxpayer money. There are more drunk drivers and alcohol related assaults that should be dealt with then issues with fireworks on new years eve. I don't hear anyone saying ban the booze!! No, the laws allow it and we all deal with it. It Is a choice that we choose to indulge or not, same with fireworks. You can be smart about it or not and then face the consequences. It is only one day a year for a few hours. Let us have our fun!!!! I will be emailing my assembly member telling them my feelings. I think all of us should. This is still our "city" right? Let's tell them what we want. </span></div> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/147 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/147 <p>well in my opinion i dont think they  (assembly) should change what they already approved.. the people will only complain a while but that is like 40 people or so out of half a million of us who enjoyed it !! don't change the hour's and Please don't take the fireworks away... first time alaska got their freedom back lets keep it up !!!</p> <p>Roselyn Lee</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/143 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/143 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/141 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/141 <p>As with any law, new or old, there are going to be people who ignore the guidelines.  Should all of us be penalized because of the few?  And as to the animal owners/lovers, I have 3 cats and 1 dog and they were all very disturbed by the noise but they have all calmed down today with the exception of the occasional start when our bonehead neighbor continues to light off the firecrackers he had left over.  They'll get over it.  Short memories, you know.  All in all, we feel it was a wonderful experience with many ooohs and aaahs, very reminiscent of our childhoods.  Maybe the designation of specific areas where people can take their fireworks and set them off as a group would be a good idea.  And a good way to get to know your neighbors...</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/155 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/155 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/167 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/167 <p>best fireworks in anchorage since 1974, now we have our freedom back!</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/142 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/142 <p>It's a good change. </p> <p>It adds a bit more revenue to the local pool.</p> <p>It frees up the LEO's from having to drive around and try to find revelers.</p> <p>Once the novelty wears off, the numbers of folks letting loose might decrease a little, percent-wise.</p> <p>It could potentially take the place of the municipally funded display, saving us some more money.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/139 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/139 <p><strong>I feel the fireworks law is unfair to many groups of people.  I have a Special Needs son who is sound-sensitive and it was a nightmare for him.  There are also several elderly and disabled people that really cannot just pick up and go somewhere during those hours and they need their rest.  The dogs went berserk!  It started in our neighborhood at 5:30 PM and went to well after 2 AM. The fireworks were noisy enough and then add in the drunken whooping and hollering and the aftermath mess.  What about people who have to work on New Year's Day?  So many reasons to repeal this law...PLEASE</strong></p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/144 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/144 <p>Loved setting off fireworks with friends on Wasilla Lake!  But when I I got home, there were fireworks going off like a war zone by all neighbors, behind, beside and in front of me!  I had to take the 7 month old puppy outside to potty and she got spooked and ran off with her tail between her legs.  Once I got her home, she hid her head behind my back on the couch and shook and shook until 1:30 a.m. when the fireworks finally stopped.  Please designate an area like school yards, to set off fireworks.  Also, make 12:30 the end time, because you know people will always push that time envelope.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/163 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/163 <p>This is a great law. It made celebrating a new year alot more exciting! There were plenty of <em>"WARNINGS"</em> to all of Anchorage and Mat-Su residents about the firework allowment time.Should not be a big deal about it, <em>"this happens only once a year!"</em> My family and I, also the whole neighborhood took advantage of this law and had a wonderful time!</p> <p>Yes there are a lot of pros and cons to this law, but its like any other law, it will have to be fixed. To compromise this law for the nay-sayers the law could go to shorter time instead from 9:30pm to 1:00am, it can be from 11:00pm to 1:00am. I would suggest also to shoot fireworks in areas where its more open; example would be like parks rather than in small neighborhoods where the noise echoes. A great thing about shooting fireworks in parks it would give Anchorage residents a better viewing of the fireworks and bring them together.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/166 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/166 <p>This needs to stop. <br />In my neighborhood, the fireworks started going off at dark (way before the legal start time) and continued till long after 1am. The next day, the street was littered with fireworks debris from the many people setting them off (also in violation of laws). <br />Some people suggest that changing the law to limit the type of fireworks that can be set off and shortening the time allowed to set them off will be a good compromise. If the majority of people that set off fireworks this new year didn't and won't obey the laws already in place, what would make you think they would follow the new laws? The police were overwhelmed with calls about fireworks violations and yet wrote no tickets. <br />The only reasonable thing to do is repeal the law and let folks interested in setting off fireworks go out to the valley and set them off as they always have.  </p> <p>For the peace of all.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/145 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/145 <p>Whoever that guy who said 'just bring the dogs is the house' to escape the fireworks must live underground. I dont live in a bunker. I live in a typical house where my dogs were, but my dogs were frantic with all the noise.</p> <p>I wish the cops would bust those violators that cheated and shot fireworks before and after hours.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/158 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/158 <p>My family and I loved shooting off our fireworks and watching others.  This is what New Year's Eve is all about.  Loosen up and celebrate a little.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/211 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/211 <p>Therefore, limiting the time is not going to help.  Someone in our neighborhood set off something that sounded like a canon!  It's sole purpose was to BANG.  Our windows rattled.  These should be outlawed.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/151 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/151 <p>No one in my family, from my 5 month old grandson to my 87 year old mother, got any rest the night of 12/31/10.  All of our rights were infringed upon.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/165 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/165 <p>folks who want to purchase fireworks.  Have a set of fines and guidelines to follow.  Test those folks as we do DMV and other fields and earn some money.  The data base provided would help the police find and follow the people who the bad stuff that hurts the good deeds of others.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/160 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/160 <p>We didn't need the law to change for the worst and this was a bad move.  It is too much for our pets AND people that can't sleep with the activities going on in their neighborhoods let alone the mess it causes.  Keep it as it was.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/152 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/152 <p>Live in the Valley but the problem is always the same every year.  Every occasion the 4th or the 1st gives us a lot of problems distressed loved animals  and lost sleep ya me damnit!!!. Home based fireworks are stupid, obsolete (especially the home units) why don't you assholes just donate the money you burn on these things to charity? Go to a public event for tradition, all the rest should be used to make other useful products  instead of a big waste of resources, polllution of all kinds. Time to get rid of this scourge once and for all.  </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/156 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/156 <p>The same idiot that held a motor artillary round in his hand and then proceeded to blow his hand off, would probably do the same thing regardless of the law or not. The majority of Alaskans I know love fireworks and handle them responsibly. It's a tradition for New Years here. So let us have some fun. However, the ban should certainly be in place during the fire season.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/168 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/168 <p>Our family and friends enjoyed the evening toghther shooting off fireworks  Please don't take away this fun family time, celebrating another year living in the wonderful state of Alaska.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/162 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/162 <p>News Years Fireworks were so much fun! Keep the law as it is. If locations are designated there will be drinking and driving issues; maybe a dog or two will get killed? For those opposed, Act like a kid again. Blow the head off your sister Barbie Doll, tie Ken to a Sky Rocket, fire it up and LAUGH : ) For a few hours, allow yourself to have fun, let others have fun, too. Get out and support local business. Fireworks are going to be set off anyway, so lets have fun together. As the saying goes, "If you cant beat'em. Join'em. Fire Works for everyone!</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/161 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/161 <p>If you can't get Traini and the rest of those on the Assembly who voted for this to see the stressful and negative effects of PEOPLE from not only their pets, but extreme noise, fire danger, etc. then get agreement to revise it to fireworks that do not sound like howitzer cannons and major explosions going off in our neighborhoods.  And, reduce the time allowed for the fireworks.  I think a better solution for both sides is to allow more public displays throughout Anchorage by people who know what they are doing and in areas that won't ignite deadfall trees and standing dead timber.  On the hillside they should absolutely be banned.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/195 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/195 <p>This was a 45yr ban that was lifted &amp; it happend 1 time. I could understand if this was a daily occurence, but it wasn't. People need to find a better way to spend their time, instead of complaining about something that was allowed for 4hrs, 1 night, in the past 45yrs. I come from Oregon &amp; I LOVED IT! I would've had to fight crowds of people to see displays like I saw. Thanks Anchorage for making our 1st year here, that much more memorable! I hope to see it again next year!</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/153 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/153 <p>Everyone in the neighborhood came out to celebrate. No problems at all. People need to plan ahead, for the one night of the year we do this.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/149 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/149 <p>Really one day of fireworks people having fun and spending time with friends and family on the new year i had a LOAD of people setting off fireworks i still was able to go to bed at 8pm slept till well 11:59 stayed up for 30 mins to watch the last of them and when right back to sleep. i do agree how ever that people Do need to clean up after them selfs its only the right thing to do. but really i dont think 5 hours of fire works for ONE day is going to kill any one </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/150 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/150 <p>Fewer people complained about the fireworks than about the new smoking law...the smoking law didnt get changed, why would they even consider changing such a beautiful and positive entertainment for the youth of Anchorage...for the dog owners, abide by the lease law.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/148 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/148 <p>The law gave specific times to play with the fireworks and our neighbors had to start 6 hours before and 12 hours after.  Repeal this nusiance law</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/598 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/598 <p>I agree with allowing fireworks to be legally ignited and displayed in Anchorage on New Years eve.  The new law is reasonable as it restricts the hours of use and allows the fireworks during a time of year when there would be low fire incident.  I do NOT think fireworks should be legal for 4th of July because it puts our city at risk.  </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/580 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/580 <p>I loved the fireworks this year. Our kids did too. We didnt light any off, but we sure did watch! My poor husband though, was inside crying with pillows over his ears, re-living combat memories from his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. The distant booming and close range pop of the firecrackers sound just like the front lines he spent a year and 9 months on. Close your eyes and listen. It sounds like a battlefireld. Couldnt we maybe shorten the time from say, Midnight to 1 am? or.. 11pm to midnight? An hour is more than enough time to play with fire.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/212 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/212 <p>Happy New Year! A holiday celebrated throughout the world. In modern practice, fireworks, music, and other forms of noisemaking, are common elements of the New Year's Eve celebration.</p> <p>New Year's Eve is one evening out of a year, and the fireworks celebration on a whole is only 3.5 hours of the evening.</p> <p>Please leave the Fireworks ruling alone, a lot of time went into the decision and the decision was a good one.</p> <p>The few shouldn't ruin it for the rest of us. </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/208 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/208 <p>The use of  thicker curtains on windows does two things; it reduces noise and improves heat retention. Our cat was upset when  the really loud blasts occured but settled down once he realized that it was f rom  the outside. I did not looseany sleep because fo the noise. </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/197 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/197 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/196 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/196 <p>If you can't get Traini and the rest of those on the Assembly who voted for this to see the stressful and negative effects of PEOPLE from not only their pets, but extreme noise, fire danger, etc. then get agreement to revise it to fireworks that do not sound like howitzer cannons and major explosions going off in our neighborhoods.  And, reduce the time allowed for the fireworks.  I think a better solution for both sides is to allow more public displays throughout Anchorage by people who know what they are doing and in areas that won't ignite deadfall trees and standing dead timber.  On the hillside they should absolutely be banned.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/194 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/194 <p>Sunset this ordinance early.  Has anyone noticed the birds are gone?  The birds left my neighborhood, hundreds of them, and have not returned.  My old dog won't eat or drink still reeling from the shock.  The volume and intensity of fireworks seems to have changed...it was a war zone in Chugiak for 8 hours.  Traini and group can go to Houston and do their fireworks.  Please don't allow this next year in Anchorage. </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/193 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/193 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/191 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/191 <p>My Gawd, it is amazing the number of NAMBY'S we have on a one night affair.  Too many things that were done in the past have been eliminated by the minority "whine", let's at least give it a decent try.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/185 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/185 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/184 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/184 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/182 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/182 <p>We really enjoyed being in the safety of our own home without having to go out and risk the dangers of the roads etc and watch the fireworks going off around us.  As others said, there was plenty of warning so adjust if needed.  Maybe shorter hours but then the children would have to stay up later. It was like having the fourth of July and a nice addition to our otherwise cold and dark winter.  Well done Anchorage! </p> <p> </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/181 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/181 <p>we cannot have few hundred people decide for the rest of alaskan's,we all have to get along no matter what the new law is ...</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/179 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/179 <p>The fireworks were great this year. The neighborhood really came together and the kids had a great time. As far as dogs running away, there is a leash law in Anchorage that states you must have control of your dog at all times so if you had control how did the dog get away.</p> <p>I say please keep the fireworks. The park strip would be a great public place to allow the public to do fireworks. I live a block off the park strip and it is a great place to be.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/178 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/178 <p>It's one evening out of the entire year that families and friends can get together and experience the excitment and beauty of fireworks. Fireworks have been a New Year tradition for years. This is Alaska , "The Last Frontier" so let's stand together and keep the fireworks here!!!!</p> <p> </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/176 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/176 <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;"><span class="302573215">What I really take issue with..is that "I" was not able "allowed" to sleep at ALL until the fireworks ended at 1:15am.  The noise until that hour was unacceptable.  </span></span></div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:x-small;"><span class="302573215">In my opinion if Dick Traini wants to argue that people with their grankids were able to enjoy fireworks, then my suggestion, worst case for Anchorage would be to remove those loud car bomb sounding booming fireworks altogether and allow fireworks when small children should be awake between 7pm - 9pm, or worst case 8pm - 10pm, then halt them so that people like myself can enjoy bringing in our own new year, and if that means to sleep, then at least we will not be denied "our right" and ability to do that.  It's not just about the dogs...I should be able to expect limited noise after 10pm...period!  In time you may also find that limiting the fireworks to these times might be a safer alternative also, given less mixing of alcohol with what is basically gunpowder. </span></span></div> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/175 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/175 <p>I'm not sure why every good thing that happens in Anchorage has to become a controversy.  Can't we just have fun and enjoy it.  It should be considered a huge success, with only one major injury.  It may have been a potential nightmare for firefighters, but the only major issue seems to be the missing dogs.  Next year dog owners will know better and be prepared.  </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/172 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/172 <p>Neighborhood animals were freaked (yes, they were indoors), trash still sits in the road(s) and car alarms were still going off after 2am.  Now, I love fireworks and allowing them is great, BUT since so many idiots can't control themselves at the expense of others, use should be limited to certain areas at best.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/159 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/159 <p>I am sorry if your pets had problems.</p> <p>I do not see any problem with allowing fireworks for a only a few hours, ONE(1) day a year. I don't see any reason to change a law just because little Fifi got scared of some loud noises.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/198 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/198 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/192 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/192 <p>I am all for the city changing laws for the better, this however wasn't one of those changes. It sounded like a war zone which caused me to go into an anxiety attack,  its a side effect from going to Iraq like many soldiers. I know I am not the only one who couldn't sleep or had trouble sleeping. I know there was many other people who had frightened children or infants. My 5 month old and 8 year old were unphased by the display and sounds as were my cats. Doesn't mean other animals or kids weren't.</p> <p> I think the law should be changed so that people can go to a central location like the park strip and launch fireworks off in ONE area as a community instead of in neighborhoods where there is elderly, newborn/infants/children, soldiers and pets. That way if people want to shoot fireworks off at odd hours to include 6pm to 4 am they can do it without causing undue stress on their neighbors. Or ban certain fireworks so it doesn't sound like a war zone.</p> <p>Please repeal or change it</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/187 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/187 <p>We need to learn to get along. Not everyone likes the same thing, but it's not right to pick and choose who gets to enjoy their thing. Its a few hours once a year. I grew up as a military kid moving all over the place, and we always had fireworks in every town, no matter how big or small that we could purchase and use. Our parents educated us and were always there when we lit them off and we had to follow the city rules. Parents, teach your kids to do the same and give the whiners less to gripe about. Simple, easy and fun</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/170 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/170 <p>I loved, loved, loved setting off fireworks on Wasilla Lake with friends!  Loved it!  However, once I got home at 11:30, it was a war zone all the way around my house!  I had to let my 7 month old puppy out to go potty and she FREAKED, running all the way down the block with her tail between her legs ignoring my commands.  Once I got her inside she barried her head behind my back on the couch, shivering until the fireworks stopped around 1:30 a.m.  Please keep the fireworks, but designate an area like all school grounds to set them off.  Also, shorten the time to 12:30 because you know there will always be those people that will push the time envelope.</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/164 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/164 <p>Although the fireworks were great to look at, I was very disapointed in the amount of litter left behind by people. And the noise was tough on our dogs. Would be open to a shorter time period, with a clean up requirement .</p> <p>Christina, West Anchorage</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/146 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/146 <p>Over double the intake as the week previous. But then, who cares about pets. Let the fireworks fun continue. This is Anchorage, supposedly a modern, "civilized" city. Not the ozarks! "Duh, let's shoot off some fireworks PepPaw!"  </p> <p>Seriously, repeal the fireworks law completely and immediately. Lets continue forward with society, not backward. </p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/183 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/183 <p>A idea for the pet owners.... maybe the sound of popping popcorn will get your pets used to the sound ....?? you have 350 days to find out! good luck,</p> http://speakupalaska.com/answer/180 http://speakupalaska.com/answer/180