They didn't have to do it. When Kristina Reynolds and her family, owners of Gillette's Discount Fireworks store, found out that Campbell County officials had banned the sale and usage of fireworks this season, due to the unseasonably high temperatures and potential for wildfires, they could have responded in any number of ways.
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As stages of grief go, there's denial, anger, depression, bargaining and then, finally, acceptance. But Discount Fireworks skipped those first four steps and moved right towards acceptance.
"We knew going into the meeting this morning, odds weren't in our favor; the conditions have just been too hot and too dry," Reynolds stated. "Even so, with each 'aye,' it was like a stab to the gut. This is the season our family prepares all year for, and it affects us greatly. Although we have been in business for many years, this is only our second year as owners and we've invested so much heart, time, sweat, and money into making it a great place for our town. Even so, we knew this was the best decision for the safety of our community, so we understood."