From Jim Berry:
Neighbors,
At last night’s meeting of the Bates Area Civic Association, Inc., the membership considered and decided to support the “Fireworks Neighborhood Safety Act of 2007.” In substance, this Bill “prohibits the use, sale, storage and display of fireworks in the District of Columbia except in certain instances; it provides for civil penalties for possession or sale of fireworks; to provide for enforcement of the act by the Fire Chief and the Chief of Police; and to make conforming amendments.”
Specifically, bill is being considered today by the City Council on an emergency basis. We are told that it is supported by Mayor Fenty and, if it passes today, that it can be implemented in time to impact this year’s “fireworks season.” (my inartful description) Whatever the case, anyone who has been living in our community for a time knows how taxing the constant sound of firecrackers, cherry bombs and other explosive devices can be when discharged in the neighborhood (seemingly, every five minutes from late May to the middle of July). The sound of these items, alone, often resembles the sound of gunfire which makes this frequent and excessive noise in our community particularly unsettling for children and adults alike. Every year, we ask ourselves what can be done to more effectively manage this problem and, now, it seems that at least a partial solution has presented itself. And, while this might not be the panacean answer to the problem, it offers possibilities that can be tested via the emergency implementation of the law this year.
So, if you agree with our position, I encourage you to contact Ward Five Council Member Thomas, Chairman Gray and each of the At-Large Council Members who also bear some measure of responsibility for our representation on the City Council. The telephone numbers for the Council Members are as follows:
Vincent C. Gray Chairman
At large Room 504 202-724-8032
fax 724-8085
vgray@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Carol Schwartz At large Room 404 202-724-8105
fax 724-8071
schwartzc@dccouncil.us Republican
current term 2005-2008
David Catania At large Room 110 202-724-7772
fax 724-8087
dcatania@dccouncil.us Independent
current term
2007-2010
Phil Mendelson At large Room 402 202-724-8064
fax 724-8099
pmendelson@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2010
Kwame R. Brown At large Room 506 202-724-8174
fax 724-8156
kbrown@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
Jim Graham Ward 1 Room 105 202-724-8181
fax 724-8109
jgraham@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Jack Evans Ward 2 Room 106 202-724-8058
fax 724-8023
jackevans@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2005-2008
Mary M. Cheh Ward 3 Room 108 202-724-8062
fax 724-8118
mcheh@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Muriel Bowser Ward 4 Room 406 202-724-8052
fax 741-0908
mbowser@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Harry Thomas, Jr. Ward 5 Room 107 202-724-8028
fax 724-8076
hthomas@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Tommy Wells Ward 6 Room 408 202-724-8072
fax 724-8054
twells@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term
2007-2010
Yvette M. Alexander Ward 7 Room 400 202-724-8068
fax 724-0911
yalexander@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2007-2008
Marion Barry Ward 8 Room 102 202-724-8045
fax 724-8055
mbarry@dccouncil.us Democrat
current term 2005-2008
We thank you in advance for your willingness to help with this initiative.
Best,
Jim Berry
Bates Area Civic Association, Inc.