Kabooms are going bust! Cities cut July 4th fireworks to balanc...

And this is all because of admendment one and crist the nit wit that can not run a state.

It's ridiculous to link patriotism with firework displays besides, they're dangerous no matter how professional the company that sets them off is. There have been plenty of accidents right here in Central Florida to prove this point.

If you want an activity that shows how much you love this country, go pick up some trash at your local park, or better yet, volunteer time at wildlife refuge or one of the few pieces of natural land left.

Crist is to busy kissing McBush' arse

Seems to me that large cities looking at budgets of 100,000 or so each fireworks display would do better redistributing that money to the ailing school systems, police departments, fire departments, rather than have a 10 minute or so display of fireworks so people who have been partying all day can have a finale.
Patriotism is in the heart.
Not the explosions.
Do you realize that we could save millions statewide? Billions countrywide?
But gee. Why do that. We have so much money to spare.

This is only the cherry on top of the cake of government excess. They have administrators that havent done anything in five years on the payroll at more money than this costs.

Its the governments way of saying ffrick you to the taxpayers.

I can assure you they can cut 1/3 of this budget and nobody would miss the people that were gone.

How about making these government workers get a damn 401K and fund their own retirement like everyone else. We cannot afford these traditional retirement plans letting these people work for 20 and retire for 40 years. Think about how much thats costing!

In the Orlando area - I am not sure why we have ever had the cities pay for fireworks. Geez - with Universal, Disney, etc shooting off the best in the world - why pay for what citizens see every night?

But here's a thought - if these fireworks are something citizens really want - then sell tickets or something in advance to a July 4th event and have the citizen's fund it. That way it is actually something the citizen's can signify is wanted - by speaking with their money. Not enough tickets sold - not enough interest...

Thorn wrote:

And this is all because of admendment one and crist the nit wit that can not run a state.

So what bureaucratic position do you hold? I am beyond sick of hearing that it was Amendment One to blame for all of this. The state, counties and cities wasted the huge windfall property tax increases they received, not to mention all the other cable TV taxes, cell phone taxes, etc.

Mad is also right. We need to eliminate fat bureaucrat pensions. They should get 401Ks like ACTUAL WORKERS do in the private sector.

Doug wrote:

In the Orlando area - I am not sure why we have ever had the cities pay for fireworks. Geez - with Universal, Disney, etc shooting off the best in the world - why pay for what citizens see every night?
But here's a thought - if these fireworks are something citizens really want - then sell tickets or something in advance to a July 4th event and have the citizen's fund it. That way it is actually something the citizen's can signify is wanted - by speaking with their money. Not enough tickets sold - not enough interest...

For the last several years, all I have to do is go out on my patio and watch all of the neighbors fireworks. They are almost as good as the big shows and I can drink a beer and never have to fight the traffic and crowds of low-life at places like Sanford or Lake Eola.

Fireworks displays have gotten way too big and expensive. No wonder no one can afford them anymore. Everyone will just have to sit home and watch them in high-def.

JesseJ wrote:

It's ridiculous to link patriotism with firework displays besides, they're dangerous no matter how professional the company that sets them off is. There have been plenty of accidents right here in Central Florida to prove this point.
If you want an activity that shows how much you love this country, go pick up some trash at your local park, or better yet, volunteer time at wildlife refuge or one of the few pieces of natural land left.

Very true. Patriotism is about as far from the minds of people nowadays as it's ever been. Yet you go in Wal-mart or any of the big discount stores and even supermarkets and you see box after box of big fireworks for sale.

I guess they sell most of them to high school and college kids and the younger adults who haven't quite grown up yet. They like to get their case of beer and box of fireworks and go to work about midnight when most are trying to go to sleep.

What amazes me this these are supposed to be illegal. My kids have asked about them and all I can tell them is that they are illegal and I have no idea why our government refuses to enforce the law. Of course we could always point to illegal immigration as another example couldn't we?

I've written to the state a couple of times and contacted local agencies. No one is willing to admit that they are openly allowing the laws to be broke but they are and they know it. This is what we are paying with our taxes money, laws to be on the books that no one cares about.

My contention is that it's time for someone in the Orange County Fire Marshal's office to have enough of a backbone to either do something to enforce the law OR WORK TO GET IT OFF THE BOOKS. Do something instead of standing there with a dumb look on your face when you're asked why you're not doing you job!

A little city like Groveland can continue with their July 4 festivities, and fireworks show,no 5 minute deal by the way, and these other larger cities can't afford it. Wonder why.

the fireworks displays I enjoyed most were those in our backyard lighting our own. city displays are really pretty boring and my family has not been to one in 10 years. miss it? NOT!!

Geez, what's with all of the party poopers on this board? It's the 4th of July! What's wrong with the rockets red glare? It's a festive time that brings a nation together. Yes, it would be nicer if more people understood the REAL significance behind the holiday, but that doesn't mean you have to rain on the parade. Crank up some John Philip Sousa and have a good time even if it goes until, oh the horror, after midnight.

The local governments waste more than 100K every month, I'm sure they could find somewhere else to cut back, but since I know they won't I do like the selling tickets idea.

Amendment 1 has nothing to do with it. For the past five years these cities had their coffers filled with excess property tax dollars due to the inflated values of homes, and what happened, they irresponsibly spent money like drunken sailors in port. If you want to blame anybody blame your mayor and city commissioners for not being responsible.

"How about making these government workers get a damn 401K and fund their own retirement like everyone else. We cannot afford these traditional retirement plans letting these people work for 20 and retire for 40 years. Think about how much thats costing!"
Hey braniac, most if not all Florida local governments went to a 401 k over 10 years ago, Orange County is on state pension but you must work 30 years to get around 50 percent of your salary. The only groups that have fat pensions are your cops and Firemen..........

Mad wrote:

This is only the cherry on top of the cake of government excess. They have administrators that havent done anything in five years on the payroll at more money than this costs.
Its the governments way of saying ffrick you to the taxpayers.
I can assure you they can cut 1/3 of this budget and nobody would miss the people that were gone.
How about making these government workers get a damn 401K and fund their own retirement like everyone else. We cannot afford these traditional retirement plans letting these people work for 20 and retire for 40 years. Think about how much thats costing!

poor taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>For the last several years, all I have to do is go out on my patio and watch all of the neighbors fireworks. They are almost as good as the big shows and I can drink a beer and never have to fight the traffic and crowds of low-life at places like Sanford or Lake Eola.

I agree. My neighborhood puts on a great display for hours! Who wants to go downtown? Where can you park if you don't get there in the morning? With all the nuts around I'm glad to stay home. Happy 4th to all!

JAE wrote:

"How about making these government workers get a damn 401K and fund their own retirement like everyone else. We cannot afford these traditional retirement plans letting these people work for 20 and retire for 40 years. Think about how much thats costing!"
Hey braniac, most if not all Florida local governments went to a 401 k over 10 years ago, Orange County is on state pension but you must work 30 years to get around 50 percent of your salary. The only groups that have fat pensions are your cops and Firemen..........
<quoted text>

Great, lets get those "heros" some genuine American 401Ks dam blam! Let em pay their own way like every other Tom Dlck & Harry! See if they feel underpaid then!

Just remember what Bush the Liar has told you for the last 8 years,the economy is strong and doing great!Billions a week to wage illegal war for oil companies who are screwing us and not a dime to celabrate our vanishing freedoms.
MISSION ACOMPLISHED !
WAKE UP AMERICA!

Ken Smith wrote:

Just remember what Bush the Liar has told you for the last 8 years,the economy is strong and doing great!Billions a week to wage illegal war for oil companies who are screwing us and not a dime to celabrate our vanishing freedoms.
MISSION ACOMPLISHED !
WAKE UP AMERICA!

Take your meds please. You want to play the politcal blame game? Chew on this then. Democrats have controlled Congress (aka the purse strings) for the last year and a half. Since then the price of gas has gone up $2/gallon versus $.75 under Bush's first 6 years. Corn has doubled in cost per bushel versus no change in Bush's first 6 years.

What has the democrat control of Congress done to help the economy? Absolutely nothing but harm. But in spite of all this, the vast majority of people in the US are doing just fine. Money's tighter but not in dire straits. We haven't even had one quarter of negative GDP growth, let alone the two that are needed to start a recession.

No, the economy is OK. Local governments just don't know how to budget, save, and spend wisely. During the housing boom they squandered all of the new tax revenue that came in from property taxes. Now that the bubble has popped they see that their rainy day account is empty.

I personally have never made more money than I am making now. The last time I checked that had nothing to do with George Bush or Harry Reid or Nacy Pelosi. But now we're way off topic.

poor taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>So what bureaucratic position do you hold? I am beyond sick of hearing that it was Amendment One to blame for all of this. The state, counties and cities wasted the huge windfall property tax increases they received, not to mention all the other cable TV taxes, cell phone taxes, etc.
Mad is also right. We need to eliminate fat bureaucrat pensions. They should get 401Ks like ACTUAL WORKERS do in the private sector.

Sick of what?

The truth...

whats your total savings? 110.00 ???