Can anything be done about the firecrackers that we are subjected to on Vashon Island for several days around every 4th of July? This year they started Friday evening on July 1 and got progressively more frequent and louder each day and did not end until after the 4th. In addition to the noise, we also are concerned about the danger of fire that could be started by setting off firecrackers in our dry forests. Fireworks are illegal in King County but somehow this is not enforced on Vashon Island. Is it possible that people from other King County communities are coming over here to shoot firecrackers because they know the county ban is not enforced on the island? Will Short’s column in the Beachcomber on July 5 provided an interesting and provocative view of the history of celebrating independence day in this country with fireworks. However, it is unlikely that these Vashon celebrants are thinking about the US Constitution, our independence or freedom, when they mindlessly set off cherry bombs.

— Wendell Tangborn