by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
The City and the Garretson American Legion have been working together to put on the fireworks show for the past two years, after it came to light that there were insurance and liability rules that the city was able to address that the Legion could not.
However, Legion representatives had approached the council at July's meeting and showed there were cracks in the relationship. They were unhappy with the show being scheduled for July 3 for the past two years, and requested that in the future, it be held on July 4 proper.
It appeared at Monday's meeting that the issues in the relationship went deeper than that, and it could not be salvaged.
Unfortunately, no representatives from the Legion were at the meeting.
"We have tried working with the Legion, when there were some legal changes because of insurance," said Mayor Beaner. "We've had some difficulties, [and] I think at this point in time that it's best to let the Legion do their fireworks show however they want to celebrate the 4th of July, and the city can do theirs."
"I think it's too bad, because we'll have two different events, potentially," said Bonte, "where one would be better."
As a part of the teamwork between the city and the Legion, JR Hofer had been brought in to administrate and set up the show, which he did at no cost to either the organization or the city.
When asked by councilor Greg Franka if the date of the event was the real issue, Hofer stated it was not.
"For me, it was the way the Legion has treated this relationship over the past three years," Hofer said. He had pursued and obtained certification for larger fireworks shows so that he could work on the display, and felt rather disrespected by the Legion for his contributions. Hofer pointed out that he had been brought on at the request of a Legion member prior to being employed by the city as building inspector.
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