Letter to the Editor: Fireworks equal money
Posted on Jul. 12th, 2010
To the Editor:
I am writing in regards to city run fireworks displays, specifically that of Gardner and Louisburg. Louisburg had their display last night (07/11). It has a very nice display with a huge turn out. I did not know that the display would be that night as I had went to the Powell Observatory, which just happens to be in the same park that the fireworks were being launched. I also stopped at three locally owned Louisburg businesses and a gas station. All four businesses and the Observatory had one thing in common: The employees and owners commenting on the huge increase in foot traffic- the majority of which was from out of town.
I'm not going to pretend to know how much Louisburg spent on their firework display but I'm assuming it was probably around the same cost as ours. Our display was funded via donations and was botched by decisions so that it left many disappointed. Under the same conditions, Louisburg had a great show, and, more than likely, made money off of it due to the money being spent at local business from out-of-towners.
Some say, "Water under the bridge. What's done is done. It's just fireworks" but I do not believe that to be the case. Fireworks equals money. It will either be gained or lost. Will the out-of-towners who came to our display this year and left disappointed return next year or will they take their money somewhere else? For that matter, will our own citizens put faith in our display or will they get on the highway to go spend money in Olathe, Louisburg or elsewhere? We know the answer. It won't be water under the bridge but cars over the bridge on their way to I-35.
Robb Hays
Gardner
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Ayoung wrote on 7/19/2010 12:42 pm
I don't think I understand this 'letter' to well, but if I understand it a bit it sounds like someone is upset over the fireworks display in Gardner.. Yes it was a surprise when it started going off at 8 versus the scheduled time at 9:30 but personally I think it was a great idea to go ahead with it since there was a lot of rain moving in!! Well done!!
Qzotts wrote on 7/13/2010 11:33 am
I won't comment on the main discussion points of this letter, but everyone needs to get one fact straight - the City of Gardner does not run the annual fireworks show.
Gardner Citizen wrote on 7/13/2010 10:30 am
Don't worry about it, the possible new Mill Levy tax increase will take care of it next year. At least it will have to on my end because I'm not donating another cent to them.
Jerry L Kellogg Sr wrote on 7/13/2010 5:24 am
Robb, while I understand your disappointment with Gardner's weather-related fireworks decision this year, I cannot follow the logic that Louisburg's decision to postpone their display until July 11 caused an economic surge in that town.
You live in Gardner, I live in Gardner, yet neither of us knew about the rescheduled fireworks show 16 miles away in Louisburg. I would venture a guess that tens of thousands of other local folks were also unaware. Thus, I find it hard to believe that out-of-towners with more advanced knowledge and planning skills created a boom town in relatively rural northeast Miami County.
I donated $20 this year and plan on donating to, and attending, the July 4th fireworks show next year right here in Gardner. Sorry, Louisburg.
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