TNT at it again playing both sides of the fence in the Safe n Sane state of Ca

[cracker]

Ill never buy TNT again. None of pyro friends have respect for that company, and Im starting to see why:

http://www.kionrightnow.com/news/local-news/drones-scout-for-illegal-fireworks-in-salinas/34009306

[displayfireworks1]

Great post.
Here is the drone footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKopZmIdjg
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Its that Dennis Revell at it again in California, he runs a firm that helps business deal with government issues.
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http://www.ksbw.com/news/neighborhood-uses-drones-to-show-illegal-fireworks-use/34005686
Dennis Revell, of TNT, has done these types of drone experiments in cities across California. He said Salinas is in the top three cities with the highest number of illegal fireworks.
.
http://pix.epodunk.com/locatorMaps/ca/CA_10800.gif

[cracker]

Brought me back to this old video. I love your videos Dave, they invaluable!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeiO2M9uHXs

[PyroManiacs]

OOOOOkkkk... yup.... Ill never buy TNT again!

Thanks for sharing buddy!

[displayfireworks1]

This is Dennis Revell in this video at 14:05 talking about fireworks in 2009.
Watch how the Mayor acts like he does not know who Dennis Revell is.
Dennis Revell was married to Maureen Regan, President Regan daughter. He is very politically connected in California dating back to the late 70's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzAT0pur_J8
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He the mofo on the left in this picture.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/c25682-16A.jpg

[matandch]

Drones? Really! When I was growing up this was the kind of stuff we talked about them doing USSR but never, thankfully, here in the USA. Boy, have times ever changed. Whoda ever thunk.

[PyroManiacs]

Dude looks like Napolean Dynamite, hahaha

[displayfireworks1]

The thing I find so hypocritical is, TNT is trying to stop the same type if fireworks they sell in other states. If they were an exclusive safe and sane distributor I could understand it. But there have a full line of fireworks. I am not 100% on this but I believe to sell consumer fireworks in California it has to be through a charitable organization.

[cracker]

WOW! the worm hole runs deep!

Long story short: you guys will find it interesting to learn that I am from Salinas, and used to live in that very neighborhood when I first got into pyro. I since moved to the Sacramento, several years back and started working for a professional display company.

Anyhow, that Steve McShane character graduated from a top school in Ca (Cal-Poly) and is an owner of several businesses in that town -- and now politics on the City Council. This same council claims the city cannot afford a professional show, but I see now reason why it would end costing the city anything at the end of the year.

Im smelling scandal tbh.

[cracker]

The thing I find so hypocritical is, TNT is trying to stop the same type if fireworks they sell in other states. If they were an exclusive safe and sane distributor I could understand it. But there have a full line of fireworks. I am not 100% on this but I believe to sell consumer fireworks in California it has to be through a charitable organization.

Yes Dave, it has to be a 501c3 non-profit. A thing about that, is that the city council usually decides which 501c3s get the permits to sell within city limits. When I was a hobbyist, and was involved in youth sports, I dealt with a rep from TNT on one occasion about running a stand - very nice guy lol. However, our organization was not awarded a permit that year, or ever.

[displayfireworks1]

Wow what a coincidence you lived in Salinas, I heard Steve McShane posted the drone footage on either his or the city Facebook and it received mixed messages. I also read none of the video footage was used to prosecute anyone because of a possibly of privacy violations. I wish I could find that Facebook page with comments from the people of Salinas.

[cracker]

Ask and you shall receive:

https://www.facebook.com/McShanes?fref=ts

[cracker]

This is Dennis Revell in this video at 14:05 talking about fireworks in 2009.
Watch how the Mayor acts like he does not know who Dennis Revell is.
Dennis Revell was married to Maureen Regan, President Regan daughter. He is very politically connected in California dating back to the late 70's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzAT0pur_J8
.
He the mofo on the left in this picture.
http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/c25682-16A.jpg

I watched it, and I cant believe he conspires with city councils to use a drone in an attempt to charge more people with crimes in order to bring funds to the city and guarantee people will use safe n sane.

[PGH_Pyro]

wow ... calling people who enjoy aerial fireworks "the bad guys..." FFS . whatever .

[Zach27]

wow ... calling people who enjoy aerial fireworks "the bad guys..." FFS . whatever .

I agree! I can understand due to this drought but this guy is acting like he is helping stop the drug cartel. Really it's just mainly families trying to have a fun Fourth Of July.

[chriskrc]

You are right Dave about tnt, they sell much more than safe and sane. This really crosses the line when it comes to pushing your own agenda. Guess what tnt when sales start here in N.Y.again around Christmas and New year's, I'm not buying your stuff.

[Dion]

Something needs to be done about TNT! They don't care about the true passion for fireworks only how much of there Bullshit product they can push! They act like they care by helping get S&S legal in states when behind the smoke screen they are at the same time fighting to not allow full product in those same states. Just so they can sell there crap to one time a year clueless buyers while everyone else is going out of state to buy full product or much better S&S product. This last tactic really is out of line and to hear all the little left wing scared Government needy sheep praising that shit makes me sick!! Honestly the whole fireworks industry needs to come together outside of that Industry giant and do something fast before the Cancer grows out of control!!!!!!

[chriskrc]

Well said Dion, well said.

[PGH_Pyro]

yeah they're a horrible / corrupt company, imo .

[cracker]

AND NOW I GET THIS EMAIL:

"Salinas, CA Fireworks Freedoms at Risk

To All TNT Fireworks Supporters,

On Tuesday, July 21st at 4pm, we have been advised that Salinas Fire Chief Edmond A. Rodriguez will be requesting that the City Council vote to no longer allow the sale and use of State-Approved Fireworks in the City of Salinas. His official written staff report and recommendation to the Council will not be available until later this week.

Since the City Council first adopted an ordinance in May 2009 allowing Salinas non-profit organizations the opportunity to sell State-Approved fireworks, the City’s Police and Fire Departments have complained that the presence of State-Approved Fireworks within the community prevents them from protecting Salinas against the use and possession of illegal fireworks. They have made these claims despite the fact that before State-Approved Fireworks were allowed in the City of Salinas, these same departments were unable to protect the community from illegal fireworks. In addition, since 2009, Salinas non-profit organizations have collected and paid to the City to date in excess of $365,000 in surcharge and license fees to fund the illegal fireworks enforcement efforts, but as of 2014 the City had only spent less than $70,000 of that in an effort to battle illegal fireworks.

The failure to protect Salinas from illegal fireworks is not the fault of the non-profits or State-Approved Fireworks consumers. There is no reason to punish them. What we need to do is to make sure our police and fire officials are using the earmarked funds the way the City Council intended when they adopted the ordinance. Other cities throughout California are doing so…what is stopping Salinas?

We all can probably agree on one thing: the use of illegal fireworks has been increasing, endangering lives and property. The irresponsible people using these illegal fireworks are ruining a wonderful holiday with their illegal activities. The solution is to crack down on those who are breaking the law. Salinas has been given the financial means by the Salinas non-profit organizations and the consumers to do so. The question the City Council should be asking is—why isn’t it happening?

Please let the Mayor and the City Council members know how strongly you feel about maintaining the right to celebrate with your friends, neighbors and family members in a safe and responsible way using State-Approved Firework each 4th of July.

Please RESPOND NOW by clicking on the button below and let the Mayor and your City Council members to let them know how you feel. Thank you for your interest and support of this 4th of July tradition.

Sincerely,

Milton Broussard
TNT Fireworks "

[PyroManiacs]

W-O-W

What an Asshole!

[Dion]

California politics is all Horseshit!! Leftwing shithole state! Not surprised!!

[displayfireworks1]

Here is an excerpt from something I found.
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“The sale of state-approved fireworks is the single largest charitable nonprofit fundraiser in California,” Revel said. “It raises in excess of $35 million net, for 3,000 nonprofits throughout the state in over 296 communities in California.”

He added, “In Salinas there is a 7 percent surcharge on each purchase of fireworks that goes to a dedicated fund, to police and firemen to patrol on the Fourth of July, to protect the city from illegal fireworks.”
.
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The strategy is to make everyone believe they want to stop illegal fireworks for safety reasons. If they told you they wanted to stop it because they are losing money that would not sound right. Please not the sale of Safe and Sane is the largest fund raiser for charities. I believe legal sale of Consumer Fireworks in the State of California has to be through a charitable organization.
Dennis Revel is a spokesman for TNT fireworks. That was a smart choice on their part. He is politically well established in California. On a side note, one of my YouTube subscribers told me every year they rent a big truck, drive to Las Vegas, fill it full of fireworks and enjoy a night of fun and gambling, then proceed back to California to sell what they have.
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Using the Salinas example since 2009 the city has collected $365,00 from that 7%. If you reverse engineer those number you can see sales totals for Salinas and TNT . It is a large amount of money.

[chriskrc]

W-O-W

What an Asshole!

+1 on that. Way to push their own agenda.

[cracker]

So here is the Salinas City Council meeting from 7/21/2015 regarding the continued legality of Safe N Sane fireworks. I'm appalled that people are begging for more laws and more authoritarianism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kRDvB71-Y

[cracker]

GO to 44:45 and watch a council member call out TNT and Phantom. However, she had just got done presenting an idea to turns neighbors against each other. And then a rep from Phantom voices his favor of the idea. These people I swear, the whole thing is a cluster f&$%.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kRDvB71-Y

[cracker]

And video 1 of 2 from the city council meeting regarding fireworks in the city of Salinas. The discussion begins at 1:42


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HcVYpCPLLA

[cracker]

GO to 44:45 and watch a council member call out TNT and Phantom. However, she had just got done presenting an idea to turns neighbors against each other. And then a rep from Phantom voices his favor of the idea. These people I swear, the whole thing is a cluster f&$%.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49kRDvB71-Y

I will be the first to correct myself, after carefully listening to the audio that was not a Phantom rep, that was the TNT rep Dennis Revell, recommending that people tell on each other and then get monetarily rewarded by it through levying the fine.

[chriskrc]

I will be the first to correct myself, after carefully listening to the audio that was not a Phantom rep, that was the TNT rep Dennis Revell, recommending that people tell on each other and then get monetarily rewarded by it through levying the fine.

Unbelievable, tell on each other. What is this elementary school. Seriously they have a big agenda and it's ridiculous not to support the fireworks industry in full, especially when tnt sells a full line of products not just safe and sane.

[displayfireworks1]

Man that is a great video, that tactic of getting neighbors to video and turn each other in is going to get someone hurt. It is scary to think some of these people are in charge of running a city. This is great material for me to think about making one of my rant video using some of these clips. Thank for posting

[cracker]

Man that is a great video, that tactic of getting neighbors to video and turn each other in is going to get someone hurt. It is scary to think some of these people are in charge of running a city. This is great material for me to think about making one of my rant video using some of these clips. Thank for posting

Im glad you see it the same way I do.

Furthermore, this whole "fireworks scare my cat" argument is a red herring. Celebrating holidays, especially the 4th, is not about kowtowing to pets. We don't tell NY they cant have their harbor show because granny smith's cat is scared - that would be ridiculous!

I'm tempted to drive down on Aug 18th when they make a final vote to tell those people what I think about them, their authoritarianism, and especially what I think about Steve McShane and him getting in bed with that crook Dennis Revell. I mean, it is my hometown after all, and these awesome "illegal" fireworks and the "anarchy" that goes with them and your videos Dave, are what got me into professional pyro. I think if anyone should voice their disgust with the city council, it should be me.

[chriskrc]

Im glad you see it the same way I do.

Furthermore, this whole "fireworks scare my cat" argument is a red herring. Celebrating holidays, especially the 4th, is not about kowtowing to pets. We don't tell NY they cant have their harbor show because granny smith's cat is scared - that would be ridiculous!

I'm tempted to drive down on Aug 18th when they make a final vote to tell those people what I think about them, their authoritarianism, and especially what I think about Steve McShane and him getting in bed with that crook Dennis Revell. I mean, it is my hometown after all, and these awesome "illegal" fireworks and the "anarchy" that goes with them and your videos Dave, are what got me into professional pyro. I think if anyone should voice their disgust with the city council, it should be me.

You should go there. Last summer ( 2014 ) , when we had a good chance for the governor of N.Y. ( Cuomo ) to sign our law into effect I called local assembly and spoke with them giving my opinion about what the anti's and those who truly knew nothing. I didn't pull any punches with what I said. You should do the same. Don't hold back.

[displayfireworks1]

Our favorite fireworks city in California "Salinas". Has a fireworks solution. One of the problems I believe they were having was differentiating between Safe and Sane and as they put it "Dangerous Fireworks", why? because both carry the TNT Label and Phantom Labels. While it is easy for us to them apart, I believe this was a dilemma for enforcement. The proposed solution was they had to ban all forms of fireworks. This would make enforcement easy. We will see how their solution for a public display works out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1FXY0j7Nig
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http://www.bestplaces.net/images/city/Salinas_CA.gif

[displayfireworks1]

If I had to pick a ground zero site for fireworks in the state of California it would be the city of Salinas. To refresh your memory just a few months ago Salinas banned all fireworks including Safe and Sane. Apparently Dennis Revell who's company specializes in government relations never figured the city would ban all fireworks. Mr. Revell represents TNT Fireworks Safe and Sane sales. Now the move is on to reverse the prior decision. If I remember correctly only non-profit organization are permitted to sell Safe and Sane fireworks in Salinas.
Bring out the drones again Revell. you never figured since both Safe and Sane and real fireworks both carry TNT and Phantom labels the authorities can not tell them apart , thus they went the predicted way to ban everything. Now what?
.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qPaVswp3g8
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Here is the old drone footage that Revell Communications ordered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKopZmIdjg

[PyroManiacs]

Lol....what a dumbass.