[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...55078439456.txt

No more fireworks?

As city faces budget cuts, Summer Festival fireworks display could be on the chopping block
By Matt Field
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, July 11, 2010 4:12 AM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — With 2011 shaping up to be a lean year for the city, tonight’s fireworks display over Lake Michigan could be the last such show the city can afford to fund.

Although Mayor Chuck Oberlie said he doesn’t know yet whether the annual display will be on the chopping block, Joe Doyle, long-time chairman of the Summer Festival Committee, said it could happen.

“With all the cuts that we’ve had to take, it’s possible,” Doyle said. “I hope not.”

The event is a huge draw. An estimated 40,000 people attended last year. Doyle hopes the fireworks can survive one of the toughest economies in the nation’s history.

“Even if we have to tailor it back a little, keep it in some form until hopefully we can get over the hump,” he said.

Doyle didn’t know the exact cost to the city of putting on the show, but estimated that it was about $35,000. That’s roughly the city’s tab for the fireworks and the simulcast music show, he said.

Though the fate of the fireworks remains in unknown, it’s already clear the city won’t have as much money to spend next year.

“With the enactment of (an) ordinance that set firm goals to reduce the amount of riverboat funding used for operation expense, the 2011 budget will require about $1 million in reductions to the current 2010 budget,” Oberlie said in an e-mail Friday.

Doyle said the fireworks are worth saving.

“We have to be careful that we don’t destroy something that’s been working really well that I can see people enjoy,” he said.

The 45-minute fireworks show will begin at dusk, with fireworks to be launched from the lighthouse pier over Lake Michigan.

[taxthedeer]

Join the SAVE THE FIREWORKS Facebook group:

SAVE THE FIREWORKS

[Ang]

I sent an invite to all my friends in Facebook. Some of you here will get it, too.

[Southsider2k12]

It won't be the last year of the fireworks. This is a cheap publicity stunt just like when Mayor Croback talked about canceling the LaPorte parade. The Mayors knows that nobody will get upset about people getting laid off, but they will get upset about the parade/fireworks. At the very worst, even if the City couldn't afford it, people in this town will step forward and put up the piddly $35000 to pay for the show. I wouldn't be surprised to see a scenario where someone like Blue Chip Casino puts up the cash in order to be the title sponsor of the event.

[Ang]

I was listening to WEFM this morning and they were talking about it. The Mayor said the mess and unruliness of the crowds will be a factor in the decision to have or not to have.

I can understand that. The mess just goes with the territory, but every year someone gets shot, or there is a gang fight of some sort, or some such other disturbance and a person gets hauled away in either a squad car, ambulance, or both. And it seems to be getting worse each year.

Don't get me wrong, I am not defending this. I do not want the fireworks to go away--I live for this show every year. But I do understand the Mayor's point in that regard.

[Southsider2k12]

I am sure we will talk about it today on WIMS between 3-6 when I am on the air with Johnny Rush.

[Homey]

The budget for the fireworks is in a fund of it's own. The Mayor also has a discretionary fund to use and can be moved about as needed. I don't believe the fireworks will be cancelled. It's all talk at this stage, for some reason or another. They have more important eggs to fry than the fireworks, don't you think? Remember the air show prior to the fireworks? That was let go long before we had financial issues in M.C. Makes you think what's going on, and why?

[lovethiscity]

I was listening to WEFM this morning and they were talking about it. The Mayor said the mess and unruliness of the crowds will be a factor in the decision to have or not to have.

I can understand that. The mess just goes with the territory, but every year someone gets shot, or there is a gang fight of some sort, or some such other disturbance and a person gets hauled away in either a squad car, ambulance, or both. And it seems to be getting worse each year.

Don't get me wrong, I am not defending this. I do not want the fireworks to go away--I live for this show every year. But I do understand the Mayor's point in that regard.

This may be a shout out to Oberlie to, get all the cops off income producing speed traps and onto getting bad guys off the streets.

[Southsider2k12]

Here's a thought... When taking control of the Sanitary District problems came up, the Mayor didn't want to interfere because it would have been "micromanaging" and he didn't want to tell the appointed boards what to do. Well why is he telling the Summer festival group and Parks Dept what to do here? Isn't threatening the fireworks, by his very definition, exactly what he said he wouldn't do in the situation with Meer and the EPA? I wonder what has changed...

[Ang]

Here's a thought... When taking control of the Sanitary District problems came up, the Mayor didn't want to interfere because it would have been "micromanaging" and he didn't want to tell the appointed boards what to do. Well why is he telling the Summer festival group and Parks Dept what to do here? Isn't threatening the fireworks, by his very definition, exactly what he said he wouldn't do in the situation with Meer and the EPA? I wonder what has changed...

The people involved.

[Southsider2k12]

The people involved.

Exactly.

[Homey]

The Mayor is afraid of micromanaging? Believe me, he had a record of doing that until this problem with the Sanitary District. He's so handy with excuses when it doesn't fit, and runs and hides behind boards.

Does the Mayor have cajones?

[taxthedeer]

Good news!!! It was reported on WEFM at noon today that summerfest fireworks will be returning to Washington Park. The city has contracted with a pyrotechnic company from Kingsbury that specializes in putting on fireworks displays.