DEAR EDITOR:

After many years of wanting to voice opinions on fireworks, I feel it’s finally time to do so.

Even though the proposed fireworks law was vetoed by Gov. DeWine, I think most of us know it will eventually pass.

Not everyone enjoys the constant noise that goes on endlessly from so-called neighborhood “celebrations.” There are thousands of people who feel as I do, that it just goes on too long.

These people stay silent, feeling that speaking up will get nowhere. There are veterans that suffer from PTSD, pets suffer from the unexpected blasts, people with anxiety disorders, on and on. I have talked to many dedicated rescue volunteers who tell me they aren’t even able to get their rescue pets out for short walks! There are veterans who put headphones on and hide in their basements to try to escape the noise. Is this fair? No!

This is not a letter to try and take anyone’s rights away, but we should also have the right to be able to go and sit in our backyards without the night-after-night fireworks. It starts weeks before a holiday and goes on weeks (sometimes longer) afterwards, and any time of the day or night! As I sit here now, one month after July 4, someone is shooting some off. I was outside with the dogs and immediately had to get them back inside, frightened.

I also no longer want to hear “show respect for your neighborhood.” I think most people agree that respect for others is a lost art.

With the way the new law is written, we would have legal fireworks allowed on approximately 28 days … Chinese New Year, Presidents Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, on and on again. Seriously? The birth of Jesus Christ, seriously? Three, four, five-day weekends, seriously?

There also will be many people pushing the limit, knowing it’s not really enforced. Police departments are too overworked to bother with fireworks complaints.

If people that don’t enjoy noise knew that it would just be one specific night and between certain reasonable hours, they could prepare. Shoot them off and be done with it!

I’m urging others who agree to start speaking out. There absolutely should be some type of compromise and conclusion. This law must be rewritten and toned down to try and make everyone pleased. We are all taxpayers and property owners!

DEBBI MANGINELLI

Canfield