At the meeting of the Special Events Committee of Seattle Parks this
morning, the Committee reviewed it's research, took public comments, and
decided to issue the permit for May 6th, but to move the fireworks barge as
far from Union Bay as possible. I was impressed with the research the
Committee Chair, Virginia Swanson, had done, and with how seriously they
took the concerns of those who testified, wrote and emailed. This was a
permit in the process of sailing through, and was basically turned around by
one person speaking out, then having the support of many voices from the
birding community.

In my opinion, the best result of the whole process was that impact on
wildlife will now be considered during any permit application going through
this committee. It will be tested again, as another group has applied for a
fireworks permit for June for a display just off Seward Park.

Thanks to Susan Marten for raising the issue, and to all Tweeters and others
who made their opinions known.


Christy Anderson
Bellevue WA

"All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to do
nothing."
-- Edmond Burke