Will City Council Approve A July 4th Event?

Born out of the death of redevelopment funds, the Suisun City Community Services Foundation might have fulfilled its mission to generate enough cash to save community events -- especially the fireworks on July 4th, albeit on a smaller scale.

Only two obstacles stand in their way. One, a few thousand dollars more in community donations and two, the blessing of the City Council to decide that it wants to put on a scaled down July 4th event.

Want to donate? Here's the website link.

The City Council is due to vote on the issue on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The SCCSF distributed more than 6,000 donated fliers through local businesses, schools, city facilities and public events, according to a city staff report.

They also created a website that gave donors the option to donate as little as $25 through PayPal.

The group also has an account at Chase Bank and has been featured in local media. It has organized events at local businesses like Athenian Grill, La Cabana, Dimitri's and will include wine tastings every first and third Thursday starting next Thursday at Harbor Square (no worries, I'll have more on the wine tasting event on Monday, for now just click on the link provided and go to their Facebook page).

In all the SCCSF raised $45,000 out of a stretch goal of raising $80,000. You can see the list of donors if you download the PDF attached to this article, under the photo on the right.

What would a scaled down July 4th event look like? According to the staff report:

"...daytime would be low-key with families encourage to bring a picnic down for the day along with their own simple enjoyments (i.e. kites, Frisbees, kayaking, etc.) As with the recent Earth Day, non-profit organizations could set up their own tents to promote their services. The emphasis would be on families and community."

The sponsored entertainment like the beer tent, music and the climax of the fireworks would start around 6 p.m. There would be "self-contained food trucks", but because the event would be scaled down, and there would be scaled down costs for police and public works employees.

What do you think? Should the City Council go for this or do you think there would be hidden costs that the city can't afford to pay?