HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-18-23 Public Comment - P. Koehler - Tonight's meetingFrom:Pam Koehler
To:Agenda
Subject:Tonight"s meeting
Date:Tuesday, April 18, 2023 8:17:07 AM
Attachments:Fireworks.docx
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Hello, I am unable to attend tonight’s meeting, but would like to submit the attached letter in
support of banning fireworks within the Bozeman City limits.
Thank you,
Pam Koehler
Koehler + CO.
1146 Holly Drive Bozeman, MT 59715
406-585-5860 cell:406-580-0361
www.koehlerandco.com
My name is Pam Koehler, and I live in what is referred to as the “tree streets” area near the hospital.
I have lived in my house for twenty years, have always had dogs, and the dogs have always had issues
with the fireworks that are blasted in my neighborhood streets and backyards for a full week during 4th
of July, as well as New Year’s Eve. I have to medicate my dogs and o�en, the hyperven�la�ng and
pan�ng con�nues. My own nerves are frayed, I’m on edge…no one should have to put up with this
torture! There have been years when my house has literally been shaking from the cherry bomb blasts.
Like everyone, my concerns extend beyond my own and my dogs health and safety. I had a former
neighbor who was a veteran, suffered from PTSD, who told me he HAD to take a leave of absence from
his job during 4th of July week and travel somewhere far out of town to where he couldn’t hear the
fireworks.
As I men�oned, the fireworks go on con�nuously in my neighborhood for at least a week; way beyond
the 3 days that is allowed. And the adverse effects that fireworks have on wildlife has been well-
documented, as the increased danger for fires.
For all these reasons, I implore you, our City Commissioners, to please ban fireworks in the City of
Bozeman. Here are some sugges�ons for how to do community outreach to help enforce this new law:
1) Add an addi�onal night or two of community fireworks at the Fairgrounds.
2) Create a commitee that will work to gather volunteers who will canvas neighborhoods with
flyers, that not only encourage people to come to the community fireworks events, but also to
make very clear how detrimental fireworks are to the community, and what the fines will be if
you are caught shoo�ng off fireworks in the city limit.
3) Ask MSU’s endorsement of this new law and making students aware of the new law.
4) Somehow, someway, there MUST be Police and Fire Dept. backing and enforcement for this law.
I realize that change is hard, and it will likely take a few years for people to get used to not being able to
shoot off their fireworks in their driveways or in the middle of the street. I also know that enforcing this
law will be a challenge. But I believe the benefits of a new fireworks law will outweigh the challenges,
and I think YOU ALL are the commissioners that can make this happen!
Thank you.