As a student in San Juan County, I am upset and disappointed that Referendum 2008-2 was passed Nov. 3.

Referendum 2008-2 will ban the possession, use and detonation of any fireworks without a permit. There are only two differences that I found between the state law that bans fireworks, and the county law: It bans the use of “safe and sane,” which include sparklers and pinwheels, and it bans the use of these fireworks on Fourth of July without a permit.

When I read the “statement for” in the voters pamphlet, I thought it was odd that it used national statistics like “8,000 fireworks-related injuries requiring hospitalization on or near the 4th of July.” What are these statistics countywide? Personally, I would be worried if there are 15 fireworks-related injuries that require hospitalization on or near the Fourth of July, but I highly doubt it.

I am, once again, disappointed that the residents of our county have chosen to ban the use of fireworks without a permit. Being a very patriotic person, I see the use of fireworks on the Fourth of July as a celebration of the Independence of our country and I truly hope others feel the same.

Teddy McCullough
Lopez Island