The controversy has been raging for over a year. From Huntington Beach, to Newport Beach, to Corona del Mar here in Orange County, government meddlers are trying to take away a popular activity at the beach.
Once the sun starts to go down, beach lovers traditionally have kept the party going gathered around a blazing fire. For years recreation departments provided safe, contained fire pits, clearly labeled "hot coals."
Then the controversy started. Huntington Beach decided to remove more than half of the fire pits claiming they cost too much money to maintain! Huh?
Corona del Mar and Newport Beach tried banning them based on pollution concerns. Huh?
I even found a local citizens group trying to save the fire pits in San Diego. http://www.savethefirepits.com
City councils have been debating the issue. Stepping into the fray here comes the California Coastal Commission. Surprise, the commission actually questioned whether there was any validity to banning fire rings based on pollution concerns.
I did a double-take when I read that article in my local newspaper. The Coastal Commission is everyone's nemesis. These "do-gooders" are notorious for interfering with every project along the coast, blocking development, blocking improvements, blocking whatever is proposed.
According to one article in the OC Register, "the Commission wants to know who uses the fire rings and when, what alternatives to removal the city considered, the history of the rings and whether the city (Newport Beach) had conducted any air quality studies about the dangers of smoke from the fires."
Well, finally one glimmer of common sense emminating from the Coastal Commission. Come on, local meddlers. Let's keep the fire rings.
Users are reminded to be respectful of the beach and leave the area clean. Certainly it costs public works plenty to clean up after a beach party when disrespectful groups leave behind trash, drink cans and junk furniture. Don't let that be their excuse to ban the fun.
On that note, I'm getting my beach chair, blanket, and a jacket ready. Countdown, just a few days away from joining a group of friends on the beach for an evening of drumming and singing to the upcoming Blue Moon.
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