Cost may snuff out fireworks

SUMMERVILLE -- Fizzled out. That might be the fate of a Fourth of July fireworks display that blasted attendance records last year.

Council on Monday tabled a vote on whether to spend $10,000 in tourism revenue for the annual show, while council members see what their constituents think of the move. But a majority of the members said they weren't sure it was the best use of the money while the town struggles with a scrimped-together budget.

The move comes a year after council saved the fireworks display by moving $2,000 in tourism tax revenue from another recipient's grant to shore up a funding shortfall. Twice as many people -- an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 -- turned out for the 20-minute display at Gahagan Park than did in 2008.

"The town owes certain duties to its citizens," such as fire and police protection, said Councilman Walter Bailey at the full-council member Finance Committee meeting. "It doesn't owe them entertainment. It's burning that money."

Councilman Aaron Brown alone spoke in favor of keeping the fireworks as a way of giving back that revenue to the residents, projecting a positive image of the town to draw tourists and adding to that tax revenue. "It's one of the traditions we need to maintain," he said.

But Bailey disagreed. "People come from in town (to see the fireworks), not out of town. It doesn't add one penny" to tourism revenue, he said. "That money could be given to the police and fire departments."

"I do like the fireworks display," Councilman Ricky Waring said, but the town has other needs. After Dorchester County decided not to fund a share last year, the show was reduced to 20 minutes, and that's not a long show for people who take time to come out, he said.

Spending the tourism revenue for fireworks is an appropriate use of that money, Councilman Mike Dawson said, but with the economic situation, "I don't know that it's the wisest."

Councilman Bob Jackson agreed, but asked that a vote be tabled until he could talk with residents in his district. Council will take the matter up again in April.

Reach Bo Petersen at 937-5744 or bpetersen@postandcourier.com.