MorganHillTimes.com | Red Phone: Fireworks can't be kept for a whole year

Red Phone: Fireworks can't be kept for a whole year

May 14, 2009
By Morgan Hill Staff

"Last year's fireworks were canceled, but what happened to the fireworks? Thank you."

and ...

"I have a question about the fireworks. I see in the paper they want us to help pay for this year's show, but what happened to last year's fireworks. Just wondering what happened to that money?"

Red Phone: Dear, Kaboom! Red Phone contacted Bob Hunt, the president of Independence Day Inc., the nonprofit that organizes all the events associated with the Fourth of July celebration.

He said the old fireworks can't be kept around for a year. So, they were taken away and resold by the state certified pyrotechnicians from Fireworks & Stage FX America and a credit issued to IDI for the cost of the actual fireworks themselves, slightly more than $4,000.

"The cost to produce the fireworks show costs IDI approximately $17,500 and most of that cost is for the State mandated safety measures, i.e. only the certified pyrotechnicians - sent by the fireworks company - may handle these large fireworks shells, they must be stored in state certified safety areas, etc.," he said. "The bottom line cost to IDI for the contracted fireworks show - the technicians, their expenses while here, the return safety shipping, etc. - actually cost IDI a bit more than $13,000 even though we weren't able to have the show due to the strange winds that night."

There you have it good callers. The winds and fire danger cost IDI $13K. Now, it's time for the community to step up if they'd like the show to continue this year.

Affordable housing is needed in MH

"I read what that caller said about no more affordable housing in Morgan Hill, and you know what's going to happen? One of these days they're going to wake up and there's going to be no more waiters, no police officers, no firefighters and no teachers to teach their kids, but hey, there won't be affordable housing. Everybody will have to leave because they can't afford to live here. I don't know where they get off talking about affordable housing, because evidently they must have bought their house 20 to 30 years ago when it was affordable to live here. Thanks for hearing my beef."

Red Phone: Dear Beefed, Red Phone couldn't disagree more. You are right that without affordable housing, those that work in the service industry would likely move to where they could afford to live and find a job. In addition, there are many different affordable housing options, from help with down payments to subsidies. And teachers, police officers and firefighters do occupy some of them. Thanks for calling.

Are downtown merchants busier?

"Red Phone, just wondering if the downtown merchants have seen an increase in business since the (South County) Courthouse opened? Hopefully, that is what's happening."

Red Phone: Dear Are They Busier, stay tuned. The editorial department is working on a story regarding that issue. However, word on the street is that some downtown eateries have seen some new faces.

Morgan Hill Staff
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