Letter: Sick of neighborhood fireworks

Almost every day, all day long for the past three weeks, multiple people in our once quiet neighborhood have chosen to set off fireworks, forcing us to participate as there is no way we can escape them. The loud percussive booms, fireworks and firecrackers come without warning, shaking the house, startling your senses and sending a fog of Sulphur smoke across our yard. Worst of all our dogs have become quaking, shaking inconsolable nervous wrecks. I think it must be horrible for someone with PTSD as it sounds like we are living in a war zone.

As someone who detests the noise of fireworks, I have tolerated them in the past around the Fourth of July, but now thanks to our City Council, have been forced to endure them for the entire month of June also.

When you buy a home in a quiet residential neighborhood for which you pay hefty property taxes, shouldn't there be an expectation that you can enjoy it on a quiet summer evening? I guess the City Council believes there isn't since they have decided to force us instead into living in a war zone. I am sick of it, my dogs are sick of it and I resent the City Council not asking us property owners if we want to suffer through this every single night. Fireworks allowed for a week around the 4th is one thing, but why for the entire month of June?

Margaret Hannon

Cedar Rapids