This is in response to your recent article about a group of citizens trying to raise money for Fourth of July
fireworks.
There’s always a killjoy — somewhere.
I commend the event hosts and the organizers who are trying to cobble together money for the fireworks have been a traditional way to celebrate the birth of our Nation.
But, with the passage of time, things change, and maybe this should be the last year that Marco Island celebrates with fireworks. Like candles on Christmas trees, and buggy whips, times have changed and we (collectively) advance and move in different directions.
The fireworks probably come from China, and while fun to watch and listen to (depending on one’s location), they are a one time, expendable, use ‘em up and they’re gone expense. So, we get to set off car alarms and probably scare a few birds to death with the bangs, choke some more birds (and people) with all the gunpowder smoke, and then have the debris rain down on our beaches and into the homes of the sea creatures we otherwise claim should be afforded protection from senseless pollution. At the end of the day, it may be a show, but it’s also senseless pollution.
Maybe the City of Marco Island, this group of well-intentioned folks, and the hotels on Crescent Beach could purchase some laser-light equipment and sound systems that could be stretched out in two or three spots along the beach, and do a controlled 20 or 30 minute sound and light show (on July 4 and maybe a couple other times a year).
Sadly, the equipment would probably still come from China, but it would be durable — hopefully with a life of 10 to 15 years, and all of the “problems” associated with fireworks are eliminated (provided a sane person controls the volume knobs).
As forward looking and environmentally concerned some Marco Island citizens profess to be, maybe this is an idea whose time has come.
Ray Netherwood
Marco Island
Marco Island Code Compliance Board
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 11
John_Q_Public writes:
LOL
eaglepalooza writes:
Ray....I think its time for you to leave the US!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
WHY? The man is right. Good thinking.If you want a firework pay for the firework. Like in Germany. Every citizen by himself. Every year. New Years Eve.
That is an event. But maybe for Americans to dangerous and complicated. However we can try it.
MrBreeze writes:
Great Idea the laserlight show. Along with music they are a great show.
ajm3s writes:
I will miss the smell of gunpowder!
LOL
Mayor_McCheese writes:
An interesting idea. I'm not sure how it would look, but if it is as entertaining as fireworks and causes the same sort of oos and ahhs, it could be a good and unique alternative.
The only time I have seen a good laser show like what is being described has been indoors at Grand Central Station in NYC or in a planetarium. Would this work outside if the is no ceiling?
marco826 writes:
Disney Does it...
happy6 writes:
we'll get free fireworks when the proposed natural gas pipeline explodes under collier...
Seawaller writes:
I like the old "bombs bursting in air" and "rockets red glare" thing. - F. Scott Fitgerald
MrsT writes:
One of the nice things about the fireworks is if you can't make it to the beach you can still see the fireworks from various places on the Island. I don't see that happening with a laser light show.
BELIZEMAN writes:
Even though we cannot see them from our condo I think that the city and business community sharing the cost is appropriate.
We just walk down to the beach and enjoy them.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.