NOISE: Limit it to actual holiday

The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. When I was younger I couldn't wait until it was dark enough to be able to start shooting off the fireworks. The families on the street would get together and with our combined fireworks we had a pretty good show and then we would clean up our street mess and go to bed. This all happened on the Fourth of July.

Fast forward to the present and it seems most people don't know what day the Fourth of July is. It starts from the last week of June and seems to go through the second week of July.

Many of us with dogs and who work plan on the 4th being a noisy, fun event but when there are rockets, cherry bombs and firecrackers being shot off long before and after the 4th, it isn't fun anymore. I'm not sure of the local laws regarding this nuisance but I would like local authorities to step up enforcement regarding this issue. Also, a good alternative the week of the 4th would be to take your family to the local gun range. It's a good place to celebrate your freedom to shoot off the real fireworks any day of the week.

DOUG JEWELL

Hayden