Stop private fireworks

Now that we've all enjoyed another wonderful Pioneer Day, we have also seen as a sign of the times that the University of Utah saw fit to cancel the professional fireworks display after the Real Salt Lake game. Our disappointm\ent is overshadowed by what was a disaster-in-the-making in the dry foothills of Salt Lake City. Sad as it was for those at Rice-Eccles Stadium, thank heaven reason prevailed. If public restraint does not follow suit, private fireworks will certainly need to be banned.

Hopefully, dangerous private fireworks displays will become a thing of the past, much like those Halloween pranks of yesteryear: manure wrapped in newspaper set on fire, flour thrown in others' faces, and carriages rebuilt on top of barns. As fun as these may have been for our grandparents, these tricks are no longer accepted in today's society. Let's hope that reason and responsibility will also prevail where private fireworks are concerned.

Carolyn B. Ugolini

Sandy