Dear Editor:

I was so happy to see Richard Brady’s letter to the editor in the July 11 issue of the Powell, Tribune. He expressed what I and others have been thinking about the use of fireworks in the country on the Fourth of July.

Making noise is one thing if your neighbor lives a mile or more away; it’s another when most people in the “country” live in close proximity.

I now dread the Fourth. For years, firecrackers, mortars and fireworks have traumatized our horses and dogs. Recently, I read an article about their effect on birds. The noise and light often send them off their roosts at night, which is detrimental to their survival. It is far better to have one city-wide display away from trees and houses than it is to have multiple people randomly setting them off.

I can understand the pleasure so many people have viewing fireworks. What has changed though, is the persistent use of them before and after the Fourth. Loud mortars began going off near our place on June 28 and as of last night, the 10th of July, some people in the “country” were still at it. It amazes me that some folks have no regard or awareness of how their behavior affects their neighbors and the animals that live nearby.

I propose that the county limits the duration of fireworks in the country as well as consider reasonable proximity to neighbors. I think a lot of people who value their livestock, pets and wildlife would be grateful.

Mary Baumann

Powell