Home › News › Colleen Cason
Cason Point: Shooting off illegal fireworks isn't that bright
Download this story as a podcast!
STORY TOOLS 
More from Colleen CasonMost children are delighted the first time they are allowed to hold a sparkler in their hand.
Is it because they love the smell of burning saltpeter in the morning?
I have no clue because for me it was a miserable experience. I was frightened every second that thing sizzled between my fingers but had to pretend to be brave in front of my dad and my friends.
So it eludes me why people risk arrest and hundreds of dollars in fines to handle potentially disfiguring explosives.
Every year about this time, fire-prevention activists everywhere issue the requisite worthy messages urging the public to refrain from the amateur stuff.
For a few seconds of enjoyment, why risk triggering a disastrous brush fire and serial plastic surgeries?
Usually, naysayers recommend those who need their pyrotechnic fix attend a public fireworks display.
Of course, that wasn't the best advice in Camarillo — until this year. The City Council deserves a humane award for doing the right thing and moving that city's July 4 display away from the Ventura County Animal Shelter.
Last year, I witnessed firsthand the extreme duress almost all the dogs experienced from the first boom to the last fizzle of the 20-minute show. This year, the City Council voted to underwrite the fireworks only if they took place at a location other than Freedom Park, which sits next to the animal shelter.
As the direct result of the council's compassion, the fireworks will be shot off at Camarillo High School — farther away from the pound.
Apparently this sparked an idea for Jenise Wagar with the inventive title of Civic Engagement Manager for the city of Ventura.
She created the "Don't Blow It" campaign to discourage Venturans from setting off amateur fireworks.
The flier, distributed at pet stores, shows a Dalmatian on the psychiatrist's couch. The put-upon pooch is saying, "I'm as patriotic as the next dog, but fireworks really frighten me."
The thrust of her campaign is this: If you don't care about harming yourself and others, what about man's best friend?
It's certainly worth a try.
But if this doesn't convince you to drop the Roman candle, perhaps the following will.
Cris Palomarez would be the poster boy for fireworks victimhood, if he hadn't been 80 years old.
Last July Fourth, the widower came home from visiting his wife's grave to find his Simi Valley home of 40 years in flames.
It was the house where the retired operating engineer and his beloved, Evelyn, had raised their nine children.
"I just thought to myself this is the worst thing that could ever happen," said his son-in-law Sam Rodriguez.
Because the house was paid for, Palomarez had canceled his insurance.
In an instant, he had become a statistic. His was one of 900 homes burned down by illegal fireworks each year.
Investigators determined Palomarez's home had been set ablaze by bottle rockets shot off from a nearby school.
This fiercely independent gentleman never felt angry or bitter toward the kids who did it, Rodriguez said.
He also never harbored a great deal of faith in mankind, Rodriguez added.
That changed. Like lightning in a bottle, the community rallied to him. A stranger who saw Palomarez's story on the TV news donated $10,000 toward the reconstruction. A 13-year-old boy turned over the $800 proceeds of his bake sale. A charity softball tournament raised $8,000.
Rodriguez, who is a contractor, was able to get a building permit in less than two weeks. Whenever there was a job that needed doing, the right person popped up and offered services or materials free or at a reduced cost.
In December, Palomarez moved into the house kindness had rebuilt.
I followed up with Rodriguez the other day to find out how his father-in-law was faring a year after the senseless fire.
Palomarez died in that house of natural causes on Feb. 27.
Don't be sad, Rodriguez said; his last days were good ones.
The community's kindness had changed his heart. He was softer and gentler at the end.
Don't get him wrong; Rodriguez wished the fire had never happened. And he can't say if the stress shortened his father-in-law's life.
But while stupidity and carelessness had set the fire, it did spark a splendid show of human kindness.
A note to readers
I entered the next phase of my career on Friday, when I left full-time employment at the Ventura County Star to go into business for myself. I will, however, contribute a column to the Star each Sunday. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. So please note the new e-mail address.
You can reach this Star columnist at cccason@aol.com.
Posted by esq357 on July 1, 2007 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This government will never learn that laws will be broken and there's nothing that will stop us from doing it. This is our freedom day and instead of setting up areas in the city to allow people to display there fireworks. The cities idea's are to have firework shows where it's to over crowded and you must pay to enjoy their shows as well. Selling safe and sane fireworks would not only bring in revenue to the cities, but could keep the exploding ones to a minimum. Giving out fines to people who’s Father’s, Mother’s, Son’s and Daughter’s and relatives have died defending this country, is to say the least idiots at their best. You can’t smoke or drink, but at 17 you could be in the military and die defending you country. That’s our government at its best and remember fireworks are illegal in the cities unless you are the owner’s of the city.
Posted by westycairn on July 1, 2007 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Colleen, you have done an incredible service to those of us in this County. Especially for the voice of the animals. You have always been a fair voice, as I will say I have not always agreed with you on every article, however you are always fair and thought provoking. But over the years of reading your columns and watching you literally in action (ie; the Camarillo Shelter 7/04/06 note pad, microphone in hand and camera man in tow) I knew you were the only one that wanted to experience and report first hand the facts and the truth as we (volunteers) were all in full deployment as the Camarillo shelter animals fell apart during that last final fireworks show at Freedom Park July 06.
We all again (volunteers and shelter staff) watched in horror (many of us for many years) as the animals were so tortued by this far too close display (torture to the shelter) and were left to say again, why? Now thanks to your years of coverage and education (exposure) and to all those that truly wanted to make a difference and be the blue ribbon city we can and should be have now finally grown up to realize it. We are a county that does listen and does care about many things. Animals are a big part of this community and the community has spoken. We will continue to celebrate this wonderful July Fourth 2007 with much pride and be thankful too that we have done it responsibly and protect all that thrive in the County, animals included. We can read many articles about the canine heros serving in Iraq now and also respect these sevants too!
God Bless.
Thank you Colleen for your years of service and you very articulate way to cover "the real story".
Fondly,
Carole Hunter
one of those labeled wacko animal lovers, (fanatics, activists) I call myself like the rest, equal and a resident that CARES of more than my own selfishness. Wear the badge with pride.....
(If you cannot love an animal, you cannot love yourself)
Posted by marieis on July 2, 2007 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Colleen, thank you for giving up YOUR Fourth of July last year to be at the Ventura County Animal Shelter -- as community fireworks were once again set off within 400 yards of where up to 400 already traumatized pets were housed. The resulting video and written report certainly helped in persuading the Camarillo City Council to make arrangements to move the fireworks.
In my opinion you deserve a humanitarian award!
I would also like to point out that "if" the City Council members deserve a humanitarian award then the Camarillo, Somis, Pleasant Valley Lions Club officers and board also deserve one because they got the ball rolling by refusing to be “official” sponsors of the event -- if it wasn’t moved. The Lions Club deserves recognition for making the move possible.
Colleen, I look forward to reading your upcoming Sunday contributions and would like to take this opportunity to wish you nothing but success in your business venture!
Best regards,
Marie Bennett
http://www.PoodleClubSoCal.com/fireworks
Posted by THX1138 on July 8, 2007 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I too was glad to see that common sense had prevailed in Camarillo. When I first heard about the location relative to the shelter was shocked. Who would even consider an idea like that[?].
Re: personal fireworks; I think we'd see a reduction of use if the city of Ventura would put on a show like the neighboring cities. Fireworks displays should be in a wide open area where many can enjoy it; not crammed in an athletic field in the middle of a residential area. And then ridiculously charging $10 when other cities offer a show for free!
There's a neighborhood in Ventura that puts on a show every year. All the homeowners get involved, they water their lawns and all have composite roofs and see a great show. This year there were probably a few hundred people watching when 3 police cars showed up and halted the festivities. I realize they were doing their job, but I feel they should focus on more serious issues. Later that night the show went on...
(Requires free registration.)
Article discussions on this site are to support community debates of issues related to our stories and editorials.
Discussions should not stray from the subject of the story or editorial.
We do not allow the following:
We reserve the right to delete threads and/or ban users for these or other reasons we deem necessary.
Opinions are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.