Should Fireworks Be Cut to Save Money? Readers Sound Off

A proposal to trim $24,000 from the Safety Harbor budget by eliminating July Fourth fireworks has produced, well, a lot of fireworks from residents.

Christa Wakayama expressed her dismay in the comments section of the Safety Harbor Patch. She wrote in all capital letters: "DO NOT CUT THE FIREWORKS!! ITS A HUGE NIGHT AND WEEK OF BUSINESS AND TRADITION FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS!!!WHAT CAN WE DO TO STOP IT AS A RESIDENT?"  
     
City Commissioners have suggested finding a corporate sponsor for the event or finding another program to cut.

Eliminating the annual fireworks display is on a long list of cuts that would total more than $352,000. The city's budget gap is $600,000. No final decisions have been made.

But residents already are advice and solutions:

Robert Saltzman suggested that the city take a broader look at spending. Said Saltzman: "I am with Karen Kaliel (Safety Harbor planning Commissioner) on this at the last meeting she said "why are we borrowing $2.3 million for the park when we have a budget shortfall". Maybe the park can be built with baby steps instead of a full court press."  

David Campbell agreed that the city needs to be looking for alternative solutions: "Instead of saying the fireworks expense might have to be cut/eliminated, say, "We need to find other ways of financing our great Fourth of July fireworks show."           

Harborite added: "The fireworks on the 4th of July is a great tradition in Safety Harbor and our 4th of July holiday would not be the same without them. I think that the best solution would be for the City to request one or more of our local businesses to become sponsors of the fireworks."  

Laura Dent implored fellow residents to take their ideas and enthusiasm to the commission: "Please everyone I appreciate all of these comments. There are great ideas. Sponsorship. A donation booth every third Friday maybe in front of the chambers so people will go in for a change. But I beg you to e mail all these ideas to ALL the commissioners and the mayor. SHOW UP at the meetings."

What do you think? Is the city commission doing enough to reduce costs and manage expenses? Let us know in the comments below.