This is no disaster

When going to school, everyone was taught to know the meaning of a word before putting it into daily vocabulary. County commissioners and local news "celebrities" have been throwing around the word "disaster."

In case some do not know what a disaster is, let's name a few: China's earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Dry West Texas weather? Hardly.

The definition of a disaster is: A state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune.

Now, after reading this, does it really seem like West Texans are in a state of disaster?

The commissioners are really putting the cart before the horse on their recent declaration of disaster. Yes precautions do need to be taken in the dry weather, but we live in West Texas. It is always dry here and always will be.

Knowing this, why are the commissioners singling out just one industry? No one is stopping the welders from welding (the Cross Plains fire was started by a welder) and no one is stopping us from filling our cars with gas (gas being a combustible material mind you).

If West Texas is really in a state of disaster, how can it be that the disaster will be over by midnight of the Fourth of July?

Disasters do not just end. Ask the people of New Orleans if their disaster just ended.

Commissioners are blatantly running the fireworks industries out of town. What they are doing is unfair and unjust.

If something is not done to stop this shameful way of doing business, who knows it could be your business next.

One last thing to think about. If West Texas is in such a state of disaster and ALL combustible material is banned, how it that Firecracker Fandango can still happen?

If this area is so destitute how is it safe for the city to put on a fireworks show? If it is safe for them then it should be safe for all.

Emily Olliff
Odessa