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Uploaded: Monday, October 29, 2012, 12:50 PM
Commission recommends no fireworks in 2013
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by Jessica Lipsky
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 | At its Tuesday, Oct. 10 meeting, the Parks and Community Services Commission officially recommended that the city not bring back fireworks during Independence Day events in 2013.
The 5-1 vote against fireworks (with Commissioner Bill Meine absent) came after a report from a specialty Citizens Committee tasked with developing alternatives to the 2011 celebration. Commissioners said next year's celebration should include a fun run, a concert and armed forces tribute without fireworks.
Officials cited public safety and financial concerns as the rationale for discontinuing the aerial fireworks display. The display was cancelled this year for the same reasons.
Approximately 30,000 people attended 2011's fireworks and cost the city approximately $175,000. Officials said the event kept the city in gridlock for hours, taxed both police and firefighters and left trash bins overflowing.
In order to stem the attendance problem, the committees were tasked with making a regional event more San Ramon Valley-oriented.
This year's Independence Day celebration drew a more manageable crowd of 2,000 and consisted of a 10K, 5K and 3K run, a tribute to veterans and those currently serving, a patriotic concert by the San Ramon Symphonic Band and a show by Pride and Joy, a popular band based in San Francisco.
The Commission will present its findings to the City Council on Dec. 11. Tuesday's decision was the result of several community meetings that solicited resident input.
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Posted by Concerned Citizen, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Oct 30, 2012 at 8:17 am This is such a huge disappointment. So much for the commission representing the people... It's amazing how 6 people think they know best... This is not what America stands for. The few dictating control for the many?!
I am only 31 but I grew up with sparklers and fireworks... Every year, I looked forward to the 4th of July celebration. The only time of the year we could enjoy fireworks... Now, my children will not only never know the joy of writing your name in the air with a sparkler (i loved it), but they will also not experience fireworks in their community. Fireworks will be only something they see on TV... What a shame...
As a taxpayer, I'd much rather see several commissioners and public officials lose their job and fund the fireworks through their salary savings. Just a thought...
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Posted by Julia, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Oct 30, 2012 at 10:47 am Hey Mr. Concerned Citizen of Danvalle if you really are serious and disappointed about what you state in your first paragraph...I would strongly suggest to turn your East to Washington D.C.
Read your first paragraph each and every word. Think about this...there are over 300 million of us here in the USA...and how many brain dead folks are there in positions that dictate our well being.
Also, Mr Concerned Citizen, if you want your children to experience fireworks...take them to an Oakland "A's" game when they have the fireworks. You kill 2 birds with one stone. Your entire family children included will enjoy an evening of baseball along with a great fireworks show.
THINK ABOUT IT...
Thanks for listening, Julia Pardini from Alamo.
PS...By the way, you don't seem to be bothered by the clowns on the Damville council dictating your live style.
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Posted by Cathy, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Nov 2, 2012 at 7:42 am This is tradition and the way Americans celebrate OUR heritage on Independence Day! Leave it alone.
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Posted by Dave, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 2, 2012 at 8:42 am Maybe Danville should charge the residents of San Ramon to attend the Danville 4th of July parade.
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