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For some, Silly String is a harmless toy, a foamy spray used during parades and other festivities. But a business owner in Westhampton Beach thinks the village should follow the lead of other municipalities and ban the use of the spray during certain events, like last month’s Halloween Parade.
Silly String, which is a colorful plastic compound that is shot from an aerosol can, has marred Main Street’s sidewalks for nearly two weeks since the Halloween Parade, according to Allison Galasso, the owner of Bungalow and Life is good stores in the village.
The spray has been clogging storm drains and hanging from bushes along Main Street since the parade, and is difficult for business owners to clean up, according to Ms. Galasso. “I spent Friday night cleaning my windows instead of trick-or-treating with my children,” she said, referring to Halloween. “The residue was stuck to the windows.”
In addition to damaging the windows of her shops and being an eyesore, Ms. Galasso said the goo caused “mayhem on Main Street,” as older children sprayed it in the faces of their friends. “The parade is meant to be for families, for all kids having fun,” she said. “It is not appropriate for this to occur during the [event].”
In turn, Ms. Galasso wants the Village Board to ask the community’s opinion and consider banning the substance during future parades. However, Westhampton Beach Mayor Conrad Teller said that the village is not interested in outlawing the substance.
“The board has not considered banning Silly String,” Mr. Teller said. “We’ve never seen a problem with it and no one has come in and voiced an official complaint.”
Earlier this year, the Town of Huntington banned the use of Silly String during parades, according to Fran Evans, the chief of staff in the public information office of that municipality. The sale of the spray is banned within 1,500 square feet of town parade routes, Ms. Evans said. In addition, anyone found with the spray on them within 1,500 square feet of a parade route could have their cans confiscated, she explained.
Huntington Town banned the substance after it damaged the paint on fire trucks featured in local parades, Ms. Evans explained.
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Total comments by Sam: 223
Total comments by shock: 40
Total comments by Sam: 223
Total comments by fdny7318: 32
Total comments by down to earth: 1
Total comments by NorthSea: 8
Total comments by Westhampton Mom: 1
Total comments by Frank Wheeler: 506
I am 42 yrs old now but I can tell you that the only reason I used to go to the St Patricks parade, halloween parade, whatever on Main st. was to hang out with my friends at that age. I can understand the reasons for the signs that say no rollerblading & no skateboarding on the street because people can get hurt and it ... more gets in the way of the traffic but silly string??? No way.
I sure hope the Town Hall is not going to waste a public meeting on silly string!!
Total comments by Sam: 223
Total comments by dagdavid: 192
My fun with my granddaughter came to an immediate halt when a boy with a can of that silly stuff knocked my beautiful little princess over on the pavement. He was running after his friends spraying it no more than a few inches from another boys face. All good and fun in Sam's eyes. But that boy unfortunately missed his friend, knocked my princess over and got her in the face dead on with that gooey plastic stuff in the can. Our fun was over quickly with lot's of tears and flushing of her eyes. Thank you to the kind store owner who let us clean up in her wash room.
Like Frank said above, it is the behavior of some that is the problem. But that afternoon it seemed that the negative behavior was associated with that canned silly stuff every time.
Thanks Mrs. Galasso for trying to keep the safety in the event.
Total comments by WHB Oldie but Goodie: 3
Total comments by Sam: 223
Total comments by BM: 6
Total comments by William Rodney: 65
Ms. Galasso presented an opinion on safety concerns warranting ... more an intelligent discussion. What is this blog for ? Is this some vehicle for the petty, angry and bored to shout at the moon? Perhaps the store owners should replace the silly string with Prozac. She seems to have great market amongst her friends and supporters. I'll even buy the first pill !
Total comments by Reality check: 1
should limit playing with silly string to the Gazebo area on the green. Theres lot
of open area there and lots of trees to hide behind. But no doubt there would be people who would complain about that also.
What I dont understand is why grown ups just cant let kids be kids. Honestly I dont even think the article was worth the ... more paper it was printed on.
Total comments by Sam: 223
Total comments by PrivateerMatt: 300
Total comments by Woody: 12
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