It’s time for my annual rant about the city-endorsed explosion fest held each year. The City of Maumelle allows a free-for-all each Fourth of July when fiery explosions are permitted from 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The City ordinance states that “you can’t discharge in or around any group of 25 or more people; shall not be discharged in, on or from any public, commercial or industrial property but not limited to, parking lots, parks, fields, sidewalks and public roadways.” Huh? There are a lot of violations of the public roadways part. Most folks blow things up in the street in front of their homes.
I have opposed this accident-waiting- to-happen for several years, but the City Council hasn’t mustered up the fortitude to do away with the fireworks, as most municipalities throughout the state have. Why not? We have had several physical injuries through the years and it’s just a matter of time before there is a major house fire or even a death. Of course, that’s when we will ban them.
And it’s not just a kid thing. A few years ago, cornerback C.J. Wilson of the Tampa Bay Bucs lost two fingers and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants had his right index finger amputated, both due to fireworks accidents.
The City sponsors a fine fireworks show and that’s how it should be. Leave it to the pros. Keep your digits, your vision and other body parts intact.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an average 230 fireworks-related injuries near and on the Fourth of July. In 2014, nine people died from eight different fireworks related accidents, including two who were not the person who ignited the explosives. Most fireworks injuries are burns, primarily to the hands, fingers, head, face, eyes and ears.
So, the fireworks stands are already set up in Morgan. The tents are located outside the Maumelle city limits, so we don’t make a dime on their sales.
I’ll keep ranting each year. Maybe the Council will have the fortitude to do something about it. I know a lot of dogs who will thank you.
Comfort a Pet During Explosion Fest
Maumelle Friends of the Animals is sponsoring a “Comfort a Pet” event at the shelter from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 4. If you’d like to help keep the animals calm during the explosion fest, you are encouraged to come by. From their Facebook page:
Bring a chair and a book, a toy, and a treat, and celebrate with our shelter pets. Human treats and drinks available, drop by or stay the entire time.
By having the extra activity at the Maumelle Animal Shelter, it will help the pets there stay distracted from the loud noises of the evening while giving families and others a chance to meet, greet and just hang out. It was a lot of fun the first time MAS had the event in 2019, with nearly 200 in attendance over a six-hour period. We hope for more on July 4.
Splash Pad Opening This Week
The long-awaited Splash Pad will open this Thursday, July 1, at 9 a.m. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day until October. The Splash Pad is located beside the Maumelle Library. The touch activator that starts the Splash Pad will only work during open hours and its use is free. Surprisingly, the Splash Pad is unsupervised, although the rules say children under 12 must have adult supervision. But if it’s unsupervised …
Other rules:
No running or disorderly behavior. No profanity.
No climbing or hanging from equipment.
No pool toys, floats or chairs on Splash Pad.
No radios or audio players unless using headphones.
No scooters, skateboards, skates, bicycles, or rollerblades.
Proper swimwear required at all times. Swim diapers required for infants and small children.
Water shoes or swim socks are recommended.
No food, chewing gum or drinks on Splash Pad. No glass containers or breakable objects
Splash Pad is defined by the brown concrete.
Use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited. (City of Maumelle Ordinance No. 907)
No animals other than designated service animals.
No soaps, bubbles or water balloons.
Diaper changing table available in restrooms.
Well, that’s a long list of rules that no one will be around to enforce. The above information was gleaned from a previous article in ArkansasNewsroom.com. The strange new website of Parks and Recreation does not provide any of this information, but it is on their Facebook page.
Foodie News
Milano’s announced they will be closed for a month and will reopen July 29. Pizza House also announced they will be closed also for the same period. The restaurants are connected, and it was reported there was death in the family. Our condolences.
Is it really post-pandemic?
Today’s Wall Street Journal: About half of adults infected in an outbreak of the Delta variant of COVID-19 in Israel were fully inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine, prompting the government to reimpose an indoor mask requirement and other measures. This is the same variant that is moving through the United States.
North Carolina State lost its spot in the College World Series due to COVID issues. Nobody is reporting the exact details. As of June 28, 276 more Arkansans have COVID; three more have died! Over 900 new cases in the past three days! NOTE: 6.29.21: 479 MORE CASES AND EIGHT DEATHS!
The numbers are going the wrong way, yet many continue to ignore the urging of scientists, government leaders and most rational people to get their vaccine shot. It is truly our ticket to freedom to move about the country, have large gatherings and most importantly, keep people out of the hospital. Nothing is guaranteed but the vaccine is at least giving us a fighting chance.
Get over it. This is America. We celebrate our freedom here and we do not live under your tyrannical thoughts of oh no! We have to be careful we might get hurt. Or this might offend someone. All of these liberal bleeding hearts with a pen and a platform is our problem.
Public health trumps personal freedom every time. If you don't believe me, go to law school and find out. And if you don't like it, go live in a tree somewhere.
OldHippie74 - I’m sure I speak for my other anonymously posting posters. We choose to protect our family, friends and businesses from crazies like you and anybody who has believed anything is what it seems since the pandemic hit.
BUT - I will for one be glad to meet you (for a beer of course) to discuss common sense & sports?
BTW NEIL, You sure are touchy for an opinion columnist… somebody shedding on you?
I take my grandchildren to the unsupervised splash pad in Conway’s Laurel Park. I am continually impressed with the cleanliness and the constant parental and “grand parental” supervision. I am hoping for the same in Maumelle. We are lucky to have it; let’s keep it clean and sAfe!
So agreed Andrew that Waldo “the renaissance man” Nello “the proud Author” seem to be out of touch with the common Arkansan and since we’ve lowered ourselves to insults, Neil, this fortitude you speak of is what the council exhibits when they grew a set and turned a deaf ear to your annoying annual whining rant.
It's ironic that the very folks who claim to support veterans, IGNORE THE FACT that many Vets have PTSD and hate fireworks/4th of July yahoos exploding the neighborhoods.
Having the city do fireworks for two hours is much more manageable for pet owners and Veterans on July 4th, PERIOD.
Quit using us VETS to promote your absolutely false narrative. I am a viet nam vet and there is nothing further than the truth. American Vets fought for freedoms not for laws that take freedoms from the citizen (and yes, we are for laws) but are thankful for a council & police chief (past & present) who understand what is truly best for their communities.
Oh btw, all VETS who have been diagnosed with the severity of PTSD you are referring to would keep a pair of noise canceling ear protectors if needed or otherwise as with my two other sons who actually have combat PTSD, we LOVE FIREWORKS and teach safety to our children. So stop with the FALSE NARRATIVE!
Get over it. This is America. We celebrate our freedom here and we do not live under your tyrannical thoughts of oh no! We have to be careful we might get hurt. Or this might offend someone. All of these liberal bleeding hearts with a pen and a platform is our problem.
Public health trumps personal freedom every time. If you don't believe me, go to law school and find out. And if you don't like it, go live in a tree somewhere.
You sound real tough, person afraid to attach their real name to their statement.
OldHippie74 - I’m sure I speak for my other anonymously posting posters. We choose to protect our family, friends and businesses from crazies like you and anybody who has believed anything is what it seems since the pandemic hit.
BUT - I will for one be glad to meet you (for a beer of course) to discuss common sense & sports?
BTW NEIL, You sure are touchy for an opinion columnist… somebody shedding on you?
Your comment might carry more weight if you had the courage to post your name.
… and your comment might mean more if he/she/it cared.
I take my grandchildren to the unsupervised splash pad in Conway’s Laurel Park. I am continually impressed with the cleanliness and the constant parental and “grand parental” supervision. I am hoping for the same in Maumelle. We are lucky to have it; let’s keep it clean and sAfe!
Neil's repetitive hot button rants are one reason I don't subscribe.
I shall alert the media.
It's spelled Neal, Mr. Wrong.
So agreed Andrew that Waldo “the renaissance man” Nello “the proud Author” seem to be out of touch with the common Arkansan and since we’ve lowered ourselves to insults, Neil, this fortitude you speak of is what the council exhibits when they grew a set and turned a deaf ear to your annoying annual whining rant.
AGREE with ALL of your rants!!
Keep on ranting.
It's ironic that the very folks who claim to support veterans, IGNORE THE FACT that many Vets have PTSD and hate fireworks/4th of July yahoos exploding the neighborhoods.
Having the city do fireworks for two hours is much more manageable for pet owners and Veterans on July 4th, PERIOD.
Thanks for reading.
Quit using us VETS to promote your absolutely false narrative. I am a viet nam vet and there is nothing further than the truth. American Vets fought for freedoms not for laws that take freedoms from the citizen (and yes, we are for laws) but are thankful for a council & police chief (past & present) who understand what is truly best for their communities.
Oh btw, all VETS who have been diagnosed with the severity of PTSD you are referring to would keep a pair of noise canceling ear protectors if needed or otherwise as with my two other sons who actually have combat PTSD, we LOVE FIREWORKS and teach safety to our children. So stop with the FALSE NARRATIVE!