Re: your June 29 article, "City manager cancels holiday fireworks":
On Monday there was a small article in the "In brief" section about the City of Santa Paula's decision not to have a fireworks display in celebration of the Fourth of July. Evidently this decision has nothing to do with finances but is some type of sympathy gesture for the employees the city had to lay off.
Let me see if I have this right. By not celebrating our Independence Day, the city is somehow making the unemployed feel better? By taking away a long-standing tradition and a free show, the city is helping the unemployed enjoy the holiday weekend and making it better for them?
People ask: What has happened to America? Where are the country's traditions, heritage and values? The actions of the City of Santa Paula speak volumes. It is deplorable that the city -- particularly with our troops deployed -- would choose to cancel this celebration. Shame on it.
-- Gene Dunn, Ventura