Are Fireworks worth $36,000?

John Viglianco · Post by **John Viglianco** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:02 am

Everyone agrees that these are tough times at City Hall. Every budget cut affects someone.

What about the FIREWORKS on July 4? Why don't we put it off for one year because of the tough times? This would be real "belt-tightening"! We would miss them, but then we would really appreciate them more next year, after the GENERAL FUND shows a surplus.

What is the value of 45 minutes of booms and smoke? The line item says $35,552.

The Parade and Park Parties are important civic activities that are not expensive. I am just referring to the Pyrotechnic display.

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:08 am

John Viglianco wrote:The Parade and Park Parties are important civic activities that are not expensive. I am just referring to the Pyrotechnic display.

John

We are not talking sparklers here!

I mean why feed the elderly when we can burn the money.

Right?

.

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:19 am

Why not find local businesses to sponsor the fireworks show?

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:35 am

John

If we eliminate the fireworks, then where will everybody from the near west side of Cleveland go to celebrate the Fourth!?

I'm sure nobody ever did a head count, but I'd be willing to bet that the majority of those enjoying the fireworks at Lakewood Park on any given Fourth of July are NOT the people who pay for them.

I would miss them, but in the current economic situation, it would be a sacrifice I'd accept....unless some civic minded group funded them.

Jeff

Stephen Eisel · Post by **Stephen Eisel** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:21 am

Does the city generate any revenue at the park on the 4th of July? Concession stand, vendor fees and etc?

Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 11:39 am

Ditto Jeff

Jeff Endress · Post by **Jeff Endress** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:38 pm

Stephen

Does the city generate any revenue at the park on the 4th of July? Concession stand, vendor fees and etc?

No. I mean there are some sales from the concession stands that are probably greater than a normal summer night, but you'd have to sell one helluva lot of dove bars to clear 36K. While I don't know for sure, I would be willing to bet that the money the Rec Dept. makes on the concession stands just about pays for the kids they hire to run them.

Plus there's the next day clean up of all the picnic debris, the added police, etc.

Now, if we had an entrance gate, and non-residents had to pay a fee for admittance, and parking, that would be a different story!

Jeff

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:05 pm

Jeff

while we have not done a survey, and a survey would be interesting, Mr. Warren and I did an informal survey We must have spoken to over 100 before we found a Lakewood resident.

Then we were called to break up a fight between a kid from Cleveland and a girl from Parma.

FWIW

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Lynn Farris · Post by **Lynn Farris** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:23 pm

I'd be willing to give them up too. But there is some PR value. I was on Coventry last year right before the 4th and directed some young adults who had never been to Lakewood before how to get here. But once they were here - did we give them a flyer on how great it was to live in Lakewood or anything? No.

I think the money might be better directed towards a solid PR campaign. But I think we should retain the parade, the activities and the concert.

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 2:37 pm

Lynn Farris wrote:
I think the money might be better directed towards a solid PR campaign. But I think we should retain the parade, the activities and the concert.

Skip the works, bring back Lakewood Days on that weekend, and fill the park with Shawn's/Jaycees wing cook off, Ken's pizza cook-off, a rib burn off and one of those funky amusement ride deals.

Have the parade, and party, party, party all day.

Lynn

$36,000 for fireworks or studying the Peninsula?

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Joe Ott · Post by **Joe Ott** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:16 pm

Jim O'Bryan wrote: Skip the works, bring back Lakewood Days on that weekend, and fill the park with Shawn's/Jaycees wing cook off, Ken's pizza cook-off, a rib burn off and one of those funky amusement ride deals.<snip>

Agreed. Throw in live music all day too. How about a mini Folk Festival? Drop the fireworks. Save the money.

Make it a day for lkwd residents.

jennifer scott · Post by **jennifer scott** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:24 pm

I so agree with Jeff...charge non-residents! I also love the idea of reviving Lakewood Days, one of my favorite childhood memories. It is next to impossible to use the RR pool, you need to be a guest of a resident and you pay a lot to get in as a non-resident. Why are we always so afraid of doing this here?

Jim O'Bryan · Post by **Jim O'Bryan** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:38 pm

Joe Ott wrote:
Jim O'Bryan wrote: Skip the works, bring back Lakewood Days on that weekend, and fill the park with Shawn's/Jaycees wing cook off, Ken's pizza cook-off, a rib burn off and one of those funky amusement ride deals.<snip>
Agreed. Throw in live music all day too. How about a mini Folk Festival? Drop the fireworks. Save the money.

Make it a day for lkwd residents.

Joe

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Blue Grass Festival is in the works.

Lakewood Is Art, rules.

.

Rhonda loje · Post by **Rhonda loje** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:40 pm

I love blue grass!! Since I'm from Indiana you know....

Richard Cole · Post by **Richard Cole** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:41 pm

Joe Ott wrote:
Jim O'Bryan wrote: Skip the works, bring back Lakewood Days on that weekend, and fill the park with Shawn's/Jaycees wing cook off, Ken's pizza cook-off, a rib burn off and one of those funky amusement ride deals.<snip>
Agreed. Throw in live music all day too. How about a mini Folk Festival? Drop the fireworks. Save the money.

Make it a day for lkwd residents.

Throw Lakewood Project into the mix. And instead of fireworks some sort of laser/hologram light show ?

Are Fireworks worth $36,000?

Are Fireworks worth $36,000?

Re: Are Fireworks worth $36,000?

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