Comments on: BREAD AND CIRCUSES

By: Albert

Albert — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:42:45 +0000

First –
Nice work with the website, I just came along it a few days ago… a great deal of brainwork, even though i might not agree with everything …

Second -
I am surprised at people DISAGREEING on public library fund cuts, i guess they miss their sarcasm sense …

Third –
Keep up the great effort… // Congrats

By: Noskilz

Noskilz — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:42:21 +0000

I don't have the exact breakdown, but contributions from local businesses in return for adverstising has been a big factor in past firework displays around here. But that sort of thing seems to have fallen off drastically – last year, the firework show at the fairgrounds was rolled into some sort of bmx/motocross event with a fairly steep admission price (since that plan wasn't repeated, I suspect it wasn't successful.)

This year, the only public fireworks show on the Cumberland Plateau was in Algood. I think one of the local churches was a major sponsor – but since it was the only such in event in the area, perhaps vendor booth fees and refreshment sales made it worthwhile.

So at least around here, the answer to "how do towns afford fireworks these days" is they mostly don't.

By: Crazy for Urban Planning

Crazy for Urban Planning — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 03:24:10 +0000

@ladiesbane – Haven't you figured out the real policies of the government these days? Its to outlaw services associated with poor people, what is unseen must not exist.

@everyoneelse – I have spent my fourth weekend on the Missouri river camping & canoeing for the last 4 years. Its a great break from the society as a whole and my pitiful unemployed existence.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:28:40 +0000

can't they not mitigate the costs of putting the fireworks by the sales generated by the attendees at the parks? or perhaps they could instead charge a fee to each person for attendance and i bet people would still attend. no reason to give up a great tradition completely.

By: ladiesbane

ladiesbane — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 01:49:00 +0000

The Independence Day celebration in our town was a big deal, it being the only warm-weather holiday we all could share, and fireworks were the grand finale. It was also a way to bribe people not to get drunk and blow up stuff, since our fire danger was always high. Leave it to the pros.

But cut libraries! Really? People without computers use public terminals to hunt for jobs, poor people feed their brains, kids get to look at more picture books and Easy Readers than their parents can afford. Andrew Carnegie may have grown fat off his workers, but his lending libraries still make a huge difference. Libraries are community centers. Anna Davlantes should learn what that means.
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/special_report/library-taxes-closed-20100628

By: Del

Del — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:52:37 +0000

Discharging firearms, in lieu of fireworks, into the air is a holiday cultural tradition in my community – New Year's Eve more than the Fourth. Usually, just roofs and cars get damaged. It only kills an innocent bystander every few years.

By: daphne

daphne — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:31:23 +0000

As a native Chicagoan, I used to attend the best fireworks ev-ah at Comiskey Park. This was waaaay back before you were born, Ed, and having left the area also before you were born, I have no idea whether they're still ongoing.

By: CaptBackslap

CaptBackslap — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:31:24 +0000

My township's website said that they would have the fireworks display as usual, but that due to tightened budgets they'd be canceling the usual pre-fireworks food, live music, and classic car display.

I didn't find that too disheartening, since I never knew they had those other things.

By: party with tina

party with tina — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:43:59 +0000

could very well be, what better time to shoot someone than on the 4th of july.

To actually comment on the post tho'. Your logic is fuzzy, public libraries and fireworks displays are not competing for money.