Letter on HB 253, Fireworks Legalization and Regulation - Tim Smith, House Commerce and Labor Committee

Summary

Letter from Tim Smith, AIGA Fellow, to Chairman Manning, Vice Chair Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, Representative Catherine Ingram and the House Commerce and Labor Committee, regarding HB 253, Fireworks Legalization and Regulation. Tim Smith states that he is a lifetime resident of Ohio and a constituent of the Honorable Catherine Ingram in District 32, president of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, and a member of the Board of Trustees for CABVI. The letter opposes HB 253, stating that its passage would pose an imminent threat to the health and well-being of Ohio residents and that fireworks are being used as weapons against law enforcement. It asks that the bill be removed from consideration.

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Full text

Tim Smith AIGA Fellow



Chairman Manning, Vice Chair Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan, Representative
Catherine Ingram and Members of the House Commerce and Labor Committee
Ohio General Assembly
77 S High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

RE: HB 253 – Fireworks Legalization and Regulation

Dear Chairman Manning, Vice Chair Dean, Ranking Member Lepore-Hagan,
Representative Catherine Ingram and Members of the House Commerce
and Labor Committee:

My name is Tim Smith and I am a lifetime resident of Ohio and a constituent of the
Honorable Catherine Ingram in District 32. I am president of the Cincinnati/Northern
Kentucky chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness and a member of the Board of
Trustees for CABVI (the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired).

I oppose HB 253 because I feel its passage would pose an imminent threat to the physical
and emotional health and well-being of Ohio residents, as similar laws have in other states.
I know from personal experience that it will lead to undue anxiety for our animals,
including domestic, wildlife and livestock; and as we are witnessing during the current
climate of unrest and unlawful demonstrations, fireworks will, and are, being used as
weapons against law enforcement. Legal and more easily accessible fireworks will only
make these situations worse than they are currently.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to have built our dream house on the banks of the
Ohio River six years ago. We have worked very hard throughout our careers and have
made great sacrifices to live here and enjoy the beauty of the river as I lose my vision to an
inherited retinal disease. However, living across the river from a state with very lax
fireworks laws has demonstrated to us just how harmful consumer grade fireworks can be.
Throughout much of the year, and at all hours of the day and night, our lives are disrupted
by loud explosions from Dayton, Kentucky residents setting off fireworks. Our pets
literally quiver and cower for hours on end and no medication nor treatments have been
effective. We had hoped to live in this home through our retirement years, but are already
considering a move, in large part due to the inconsiderate behavior of our neighbors to
the south and how it has negatively impacted our quality of life. The idea of residents
being able to set off fireworks - especially without strict regulation and limitations
is incomprehensible.

I ask that you remove this Bill from consideration, knowing that by doing so you will save
many Ohio residents from serious injury and even death. A response would be greatly
appreciated.

Sincerely,



1919 Riverside Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202


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