Charleroi: July 4 fireworks proposal fizzles out
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
A Fourth of July event in Charleroi has officially been added to the list of summer cancellations.
Council made a split decision during Wednesday’s meeting to cancel Fourth of July fireworks and will instead focus on preparing a Community Days celebration in August.
Last month, council President Mark Alterici said Charleroi Emergency Management Coordinator Glenn Shipley was on board with both events.
Alterici was in support of the fireworks and Community Days before western Pennsylvania moved into the green phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, especially after spring events in the borough were canceled, along with other summer experiences like movie nights.
Alterici was hoping to put on a fireworks display for residents next month in addition to a display at the weekend-long event in August.
Council budgeted $5,000 for fireworks for Community Days and has saved nearly $2,000 after being forced to cancel events during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additionally, residents have donated nearly $3,000 to help pull off the fireworks display.
Council could have spent about $2,100 for the July 4 display and still had money left over to have a second show during Community Days.
Some donations were specifically intended for the Fourth of July show, but council voted 4-3 Wednesday against putting on the display.
Councilwoman Jeannine Motycki cited concern for residents gathering in the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce parking lot to watch the show.
Alterici said the borough does not own the parking lot and doesn’t have the authority to shut it down.
“If everyone is concerned about having too many people congesting in the parking lots, where do we anticipate they will watch the fireworks?” Alterici said. “We will have people all over.”
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