On the email listservs over the past few days, people complained to Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd, they complained about scared kids and scared dogs and the loud noise. Others cheered the neighborhood feel, the camaraderie of impromptu gatherings and the fun of the fireworks.

Some supporters of the fireworks tried to make it an old vs new resident issue, which is silly, frankly. It's not about how long you've lived somewhere, it's about deciding what our neighborhood is about and respecting all residents. For a very long time, enjoying fireworks (or not) has been part and parcel of Petworth on July 4th. In fact, I'd argue that it's much less crazy now than it was a decade ago, when the fireworks would light up the sky on the 4th from every possible angle from dusk until 3am, and anywhere you looked it was a light show. Now the pop bang pop barely starts on the 3rd and peters out by the 5th or so. (Of course, it's rained the last two years...)

One resident, Triena Rogers, wrote on the Petworth listserv:

"As a life long Petworth resident (been here since 2nd grade, I'm now 47), we have always done fireworks. And yes, my now 18 year old son and his grandparents and most of the residents of [our street] were out doing the same and enjoying it. So instead of dividing our wonderful neighborhood and making people stop celebrating, come up with a solution. How about a Petworth 4th of July neighborhood party? We can do fireworks and when the party is over, so are the fireworks. This takes time and effort. Most people don't want to go to the Mall to watch the fireworks. So stop dividing our neighborhood; lets work together."

Triena has a great idea. I think most people want to celebrate the holiday locally, with the event at the Old Soldier's Home every year notwithstanding (it's been rained out for the last 2 years).