LAKEPORT?The city of Lakeport was the last in the county to allow safe-and-sane fireworks on July 4, until this year.
After the decision was made to no longer do so, nonprofit organizations that relied on the sales for fundraisers came back to the council to ask for change.
The groups: Lake County Channel Cats swim team, Clear Lake High School Booster Club, Terrace Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Miss Lake County scholarship organization gathered signatures for a new ballot initiative, which would leave the final decision up to the citizens of Lakeport.
Council members voted for an election on an initiative asking residents to allow fireworks to return to the city.
In June the council voted 3-2, Jim Irwin and Suzanne Lyons voted no on a change to the city ordinance and prohibiting safe-and-sane fireworks.
Janel Chapman, city clerk, said 693 signatures were collected and 424 met the criteria of being city residents.
She laid out three options to the council. 1.) Accepting an ordinance authored by the fundraising groups. 2) Calling for an election 3.) Requesting a study period to work with the groups for a compromise.
An election on Nov. 3, rather than a special election in December would save Lakeport $10,000 according to Chapman.
Tom Jordan, president of the Clear Lake High School Boosters Club recommended the forming of a study group.
Dennis Revell of Revell Communications, representing American Promotional Events and TNT Fireworks, said Diane Fridley, registrar of voters, estimated the initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot as part of a consolidated election with the county and local school districts would cost about $4709.76.
A December election would cost $14,129.29. Revell addressed the council saying, “We hope in your wisdom you”ll see the light.”
He also recommended a study group.
Vicki Hays, Clear Lake High School Booster Club secretary, said she has stayed in this county because of the “small-town feel,” and was sad because that is now absent in her opinion.
Rob Alves, treasurer of the Terrace School Parent Teacher Organization, said the funds have gone “dramatically backwards.”
Jill Ruzicka-Leighton, parent of Lake County students and volunteer, sympathized but said “parents and the community need to step-up to the plate and fill the financial void.”
“I make the assumption that everyone cares about the youth of Lakeport,” she said.
She asked the council to create options to raise money in order that children in Lakeport receive a quality education.
Jennifer Hanson of the Lake County Channel Cats said the swim team raised $700 in fundraising efforts and are planning more, but that the $10,000 each group is losing is difficult to recoup. “We really need these fireworks,” she said.
Karen Wilson, from the Miss Lake County Scholarship Organization said money raised with the firework fundraiser assisted girls with scholarships. For the last two years, Miss Lake County has received a $2,500 scholarship.
Councilman Roy Parmentier said there was not a chance for this as it was written and called it a monopoly. Additionally he recommended it should be open to all nonprofits ? by placing names in a hat. A drawing would determine which group gets to sell fireworks that year.
Councilman Bob Rumfelt moved to order an election and adopt a resolution for November. Parmentier seconded.
Lyons said that drunken neighbors threw three bottle rockets into her yard this year and that was a new experience for her.
“I”d rather see a fool with safe-and-sane fireworks than a fool with a bottle rocket,” she said.
“It”s up to the public to vote on this,” Mayor Ron Bertsch said.
The Lakeport City Council voted 3-2. Irwin and Lyons voted no to call the November election.
In other fireworks business, Melissa Fulton, CEO of Lake County Chamber of Commerce said that the City of Lakeport fireworks display for this year is at an $1,800 deficit for the total $17,500 needed to fund the event. Donations are still needed and gratefully accepted.
Fulton said she is asking for a discount from the company that was contracted for the display because she thought it was disappointing, citing that shells were too low among other issues.
Rocky Roads
Nancy Ruzicka spoke at the opening of the council meeting Tuesday night asking for a sales tax for street repairs, to take care of the potholes.
She said she had to get major transmission work performed on her 2005 Chrysler Town & Country because of the disrepair of roads. She said patrol cars would be in better condition and would last longer with better roads.
She also asked for large signs for public parking to promote tourism in downtown Lakeport.
Other Business
T-Mobile requested a continuance regarding site approval for a cell phone tower. It was granted and extended to Oct.20.
The Lakeport City Council meets at 6 p.m. at Lakeport City Hall, located at 225 Park St. in Lakeport. Copies of the council”s agenda can be obtained at City Hall or online at www.cityoflakeport.com.
The council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, unless otherwise announced.
