This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has proposed the elimination of fireworks at Liberty Park and Jordan Park. He calls it a symbolic measure to help with air pollution.
What about allowing all of the other fireworks at every event in the city? Remember when baseball used to have fireworks only once a year?
I contacted the mayor's office shortly after he took office with the issue of fire pits and pollution. They stated that the issue was being studied and they would have a statement in the near future. How many years ago did he take office? Maybe the issue should have been raised by the media and he might have had an answer by now.
Nationwide, fire pits and pollution has been an issue. Thousands of studies have shown this is a problem. Many areas have passed rules to solve this issue. Studies are showing air pollution with many health issues.
I guess when there is no camera asking the question, the mayor is not even willing to make a symbolic statement.
Rod Stone
Salt Lake City