When you think Canada Day celebrations, most would automatically think of fireworks right!
Well, our crappy City Council in Timmins,Ontario Canada have dropped the ball this year!!
Canada Day is our Ribfest weekend too and they claim they had no sponsors for fireworks this year!! Then when confronted for their stupidity, they try to blame Rotary Club and then claims “ignorance”.
http://www.timminspress.com/2013/06/25/no-fireworks-canada-day
TIMMINS – Timmins residents will have to go elsewhere to see fireworks if they’re intent on celebrating Canada Day with a blast.
There are no organized fireworks displays planned in the City of Timmins for July 1.
“The city is not putting on any fireworks and my understanding is the Rotary Ribfest did not find an adequate sponsor this year” to pay for a fireworks show in connection with their event, said Guy Lamarche, manager of tourism, events and communications for the City of Timmins.
Last year, Timmins Rotary Ribfest concluded on July 1 and that evening there was a fireworks show over Pearl Lake. This year, Ribfest ends on June 30.
Lamarche said the lack of a Canada Day fireworks show in Timmins is not due to the emphasis being placed on the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival, which will have fireworks for a second-consecutive year.
“Fireworks at the kayak challenge have nothing to do with city sponsorship. It is sponsored by private business,” said Lamarche. “Last year, it was sponsored by the anniversary committee. This year, it is being sponsored by Panels and Pipes.”
Lamarche said Timmins is not alone in providing a quiet celebration for Canada Day, free of fireworks. Many smaller communities no longer host Canada Day celebrations after the federal government cancelled subsidy programs that enabled municipalities to pay for fireworks and hold such events, he said.
“That is unfortunate when you consider the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa and the fact that people living in outside areas can’t enjoy that big spectacle.”
Residents are also reminded that Timmins has a bylaw prohibiting the sale and setting off of fireworks within city limits.
This is our not so bright Mayors response:
City of Timmins
I want to provide residents with some clarity on the fireworks debate. Over the past number of years the Rotary Club coordinated the Canada Day fireworks as part of the overall Rib Fest programming. The fireworks display was done with financial assistance from the City in the amount of $7,500 annually. At the time Rib Fest was held at Gillies Lake where the weather could be unpredictable as it often is for any outdoor event.
After a few years of not so great weather the decision was made to move Rib Fest to the McIntyre Community Centre. With the change in venue the Rotary Club decided to re-direct the City’s contribution towards facility rental and manpower requirements and would now solicit corporate sponsorship to offset the cost of hosting a fireworks display. The Club successfully raised the required funds for a number of years. This year, the Club’s effort to raise adequate funds did not materialize, and so the decision to cancel the fireworks was made. Also this year, Federal Government grants to assist organizations with Canada Day celebrations were no longer available adding to the fundraising hardships that faced the Rotary Club.
From a City perspective had we known all of the above at budget time, Council would have entertained a discussion on the subject of Canada Day fireworks and would have considered the various options that were worth exploring. Finally and just as importantly, timing is everything when booking a licensed fireworks and pyrotechnic specialist, especially for July 1st. Companies specializing in fireworks are not available on short notice.
Going forward and given the circumstances, I can assure you that Council will have a discussion on Canada Day fireworks going forward. In closing I want to thank the Rotary Club for all that it does in our community and especially for the hard work that they put forward to ensure that Rib Fest continues to be a marquee event for the City of Timmins.
Mayor Tom Laughren
48.475148
-81.283289
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