Friday, July 3, 2009

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Tight budgets cause some fireworks to fizzle in RI

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Fourth of July fireworks won't be seen in the skies above two Rhode Island communities, who've chosen instead this year to use the money for city employee salaries and to keep a public pool open.

Cranston Mayor Allan Fung is using $15,000 in private donations to subsidize summer costs for the outdoor Budlong Pool. The pool had been in danger of closing because of the city's financial crisis.

"Obviously, it was a difficult decision," Fung said. "It was a decision to support and help the kids for a two-month period rather than fun for a one-night event."

In addition to help from private donors, the city raised user fees for nonresidents and cut back pool hours.

While Cranston had Independence Day fireworks displays for the past two years, Fung said the event wasn't a long-standing town tradition.

North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi also canceled his town's fireworks display. The town has struggled to pay employees the last four pay periods and the mayor said it wasn't fair to workers to spend $20,000 on fireworks when paychecks were up in the air.

"In my heart, I knew it was right thing to do," Lombardi said. "If you were an employee in North Providence and you're not certain of being compensated and you're reading we found $20,000 to send up into the air, I think you would be upset."

Richard Fossa, Lombardi's chief of staff, said some people called to complain about the fireworks cancellation, but more called to protest the city's 17 percent property tax increase.

Both mayors said they hope the fireworks can return once the budget crisis eases.

"It's a great tradition for residents," Fung said. "But again, it's these tough economic times."

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)