If you were at the Edison Festival of Light parade this weekend you might have noticed fireworks.
Some viewers want to know why these fireworks were used on Saturday when last July 4, the city of Fort Myers said it was too broke to afford them.
The answer: the Edison fireworks were privately funded, according to the Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency.
“I think it’s just a sign of the times,” said Don Paight, the group’s executive director. “The [Edison] festival has a very, very large staff of volunteers that work on sponsorships all year long. And the city just doesn’t have a fundraising component.”
The fireworks cost around $30,000 for a 30 minute show. The July 4 festival costs around $80,000 in total to put together.
But last year, Courtney Neuhausel with Sandbill Realty offered to pay for the whole thing. The way he tells it, after six months of calling, by the time the city responded it was too late.
“One hundred percent” they dropped the ball, said Neuhausel. “You gotta give credit to the Edison festival they have a great planning committee. And i really believe that that’s the whole heart and soul as to why fireworks took place.”
“The city in my opinion,” he said, “didn’t step to the plate.”
Paight says Newuhauel’s donation was generous but not enough to cover every expense. He says there wasn’t enough time to get permits, a process that can take two months.
“Unfortunately when budgets are cut,” he said, ”and it’s decisions between funding public safety officers or fire or some essential services something has to go.”
But will the fireworks go this year?
Fireworks aren’t in the city’s budget this year, according to Paight. And with five months to go, the Redevelopment Agency still does not have a sponsor.
On top of that, he says, their budget has been cut in half.
Without a sponsor, this will be the second year in a row the skies will be dark over downtown, Paight said.
But he’s still hopeful something can be worked out and is urging anyone interested in becoming a sponsor to contact the agency.
Fort Myers Redevelopment Agency
Matt Grant
mgrant@fox4now.com
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