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Uploaded: Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 12:02 AM
Updated: Wednesday, December 12, 2012, 2:12 PM
No fireworks for Independence Day 2013
Commission says it will continue to look at alternatives
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by Jessica Lipsky
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 | At its Tuesday meeting, San Ramon's City Council voted to confirm a recommendation not bring back fireworks in next year's July Fourth celebration without much fanfare. Council chambers were nearly empty for the final decision, after holding many meetings, public hearings and an online survey.
In October, the Parks and Community Services Commission voted to recommend that San Ramon's 2013 Independence Day celebration include a fun run, a concert and armed forces tribute, but no aerial fireworks display. The Council confirmed the recommendation in a 4-1 vote, with Vice Mayor Dave Hudson dissenting.
"To me, this is the most important event in San Ramon," he said.
But Council and commissioners agreed that an aerial display is cost prohibitive at $318,000 -- not necessarily a result of the fireworks themselves, but because of necessary additional safety personnel. Nearly all San Ramon Police employees are on hand during the event and are "becoming increasingly stretched thinner relative to these duties," according to city documents.
Approximately 30,000 people attended 2011's fireworks, compared with 2,000 in 2012, in what's become a regional rather than city event. Councilmember Phil O'Loane said the city couldn't cordon off Central Park to increased traffic or families who want to be center stage for the display.
Regarding the city's budget deficit and increased cost for aerial fireworks, O'Loane asked what residents would be willing to give up to balance the cost.
"If this then what not? Is this more important than soccer? I consider soccer more important even if I don't play it," he said.
A citizens group tasked with finding alternatives to the 2011 celebration also considered other locations for the fireworks display, as the future City Center would occupy the site where fireworks are currently set off. The Council agreed to work on a long range event plan for beyond 2013, Division Manager Esther Lucas said.
In a report to the Council, the citizens group had to identify a drop zone which could not be too close to homes. Member Dominique Yancey said using high school football stadiums would require permission from the school district and could damage the expensive turf. Yancy and the Parks Commission said they, too, would continue to look for alternatives.
City officials held community meetings on the future of fireworks as well as polls and online surveys using Open San Ramon. In an October 2012 survey of 287 residents living around elementary school zones, 202 were in favor of an event with on-site fireworks (an event like the 2011 celebration). Forty-two wanted an event with no fireworks.
Although Councilmember Scott Perkins said it was worthwhile to find an alternative launch site, he later agreed with the commission on budget and safety issues.
Roz Rogoff, a member of the citizens committee, was the only speaker during public comment and encouraged the Council to look for an alternative site. San Ramon should do something similar to the city of Cupertino and hold events in the park during the day and the fireworks later at night in a location not open to the public, she said. Roz Rogoff contributed to this article Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 12, 2012 at 8:45 am Once again, probably a wise decision...The City can certainly use the money at this juncture. I sure missed it in July but hard choices are just that - HARD. Too bad Congress isn't of the same mindset on the "fiscal cliff" looming...LOL!
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Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer, on Dec 12, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Roz Rogoff is a member (registered user) of San Ramon Express I thought there would be a big crowd at the meeting to protest this, but guess who showed up -- ME. Yup I was the only one there who wasn't on the Parks Commission or Staff.
I asked the Council to at least consider setting the fireworks off from a remote location instead of Central Park, but the problem is finding one with a safe drop zone. So the Parks Commissioners and Staff will continue to look for another launch site, but in meantime, at least for 2013, the aerial display will not be held.
Roz
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Posted by DK, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 21, 2012 at 12:25 pm So sad! In the 30+ years living in the San Ramon Valley I have seen alot of changes but the 4th of July Fireworks was not a change that I saw coming. My family looked forward to packing up their chairs and setting them up on the lawn at Central Park to get the best seat in the house and later come back on our bikes as a family later to the park all the time laughing, racing and enjoying family on the trail along with waving at folks we know as they.proceeded to the park. Even though we could have seen the fireworks from our home we enjoyed the tradition and the celebration of our Independence that was created by our Forefathers. Also a sad thing for many Non-profits who counted on this function to raise their much needed funds.So we have no fireworks celebration at home because illegal, no fireworks at Central Park so where do we go now. Oh and I wonder what I am going to say to my grandkids when they sing the National Anthem to the TV and they ask me "What do they mean by "The bombs bursting in air?" and all I can say is not real bombs that kill people but the ones that bring color and light to the sky and the bursting noises that were loud and sent chills of joy thru your body and I am sorry you cannot see or feel this joy we once had right here in San Ramon because there is no money to pay for the fireworks anymore and our community has been inundated by diversity and many of these people that have come to San Ramon and its surrounding cities do not know the true meaning of Independence Day here in the US so to them they can do without it. So what is next? I do not know if I want to stay around to find out! Maybe it is time for this White American family to get in their wagon and migrate to another promise land! So sad that we AMERICANS are allowing this to happen. God Bless America! Oh pretty soon it will" be without the damaging word "God" and be "Bless America!" So sad!
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Posted by A Resident, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 22, 2012 at 12:29 pm I applaud the decision of the City Council to not bring back fireworks to San Ramon in 2013. This was a well studied issue with plenty of opportunity for input from the community. San Ramon became a victim of its own success with its annual fireworks display. Too many people and too much expense to handle them. We just can't afford to mount an event of this size at this time, and subsidize entertainment for other cities. I grew up in Lafayette without an annual city fireworks display, yet learned plenty about the meaning of Independence Day. For the record, DT, I believe the "bombs bursting in air" for our founding fathers were loaded shells exploded during battle, not a celebratory fireworks display. Just so your grandkids can know. Some changes are harder than others, and this one isn't so bad. Communities evolve.
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Posted by Ms. Bunny, a resident of San Ramon, on Dec 26, 2012 at 8:15 am Yeah DK, it is a rather sad commentary, but please remember? This may be temporary and is not "set in stone" for the future in general, just for now. It is true, many of our children (immigrants or otherwise) have no clue to the words of the "Star Spangled Banner". I think you should consider doing a certain amount of embracing of diversity because it is, here to stay. No matter where you attempt to go? You will find, eventually the world is becoming - the US is, a far more diverse place than ever before. You can go with the flow and try to teach others, or? You can be "left in the dust" with your memories of how it once was. The choice is your's.
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Posted by Seth Hunau, a resident of San Ramon, on Jan 4, 2013 at 10:46 am I missed last year's community meeting about the fireworks, but I will be at next year's. I'm not ready to believe that there is not a solution to the fireworks problem. The San Ramon 4th of July fireworks show is a huge source of community pride and spirit for me. I would like to see it come back in some form. Here is what I'm going to do about it: Web Link
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Posted by Roz Rogoff, the San Ramon Observer, on Jan 4, 2013 at 11:46 am
Roz Rogoff is a member (registered user) of San Ramon Express Seth,
There were a lot of smart people on the committee to bring back the fireworks and several good ideas, but unfortunately none of these were acceptable to the Parks Commission or City Council.
Maybe your T-Shirt idea will work. I hope it brings more attention to this event. I was totally surprised that no one else came to the City Council meeting when the Council voted on the Parks Department's recommendation not to hold the fireworks next year. I guess most San Ramon residents are resigned to not having them. Maybe your efforts will turn that around.
The biggest issue is safety. Even the big price tag is based on providing additional policing and security. The fireworks themselves are only about $30K.
Another possibility, with your T-Shirt as a fundraiser, would be to hold a privately sponsored event like the group in Livermore did last year. This was very successful, but they had a closed environment at Las Positas College. There doesn't appear to be a similar location where our event could be held. If you can come up with one, I'm sure you would find a lot of support.
Roz
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