Barry L. Williams
On Tuesday evening Community Service Director Jim Engle announced to
the July Fourth Board that the police, fire and staff would recommend
to City Council that the board not be allowed to host a fireworks
show at the beach in 2005.
The reasoning was that the 2004 Show was too successful.
Police Chief Kenneth Small was hired with one of his attributes
being handling large crowds in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, his previous
employer. It has Harley Bike Week, Spring Break and a Fourth of July
fireworks over the water. Are the residents of Huntington Beach less
responsible than a bunch of bikers and young party animals full of
liquor and libido?
The Fire Department would have to abandon their in-house gyms,
televisions and kitchens to be on the streets to serve.
There was a very successful horse show held in Huntington Beach
for several years with a true "Blue Blood" attendance roll (Joan
Irvine Smith, etc.) but was driven from town by excessive controls
and fee's imposed by public safety on the event.
The Halloween event on main street in October of each year doesn't
even have a requirement to hire one outside guard service yet is
attended by more than 7,000 potentially rebellious young people in
costumes. Is there equity or reason behind this separation of events?
There is a Duck-a-thon held each spring to support a worthwhile
charity. Is it to also be driven from town because of success and too
many people on the pier to see ducks launched?
Or perhaps the Easter egg program in Central Park -- there are
lots of potential bad people congregated there. Rabbits, chickens and
such other mischievous participants.
Remember there was not an incident at all in 2004. So there is no
hidden burning couch issue to blame for the decision. As was used for
several years prior to this.
The meetings for these decisions were held without an invitation
to the council liaisons Debbie Cook, Jill Hardy or any members. The
chair of the volunteer board was not invited. The bureaucratic
mentality prevailed that we will decide what is best for the
residents without their input. Board members asked to be included in
the after-event discussions but were excluded.
The board and 2005 events are scheduled to appear as an agenda
item on the Nov. 15 council meeting.
The more residents who appear and voice their positions, the more
the bureaucrats might respect their very well-paying employers.
It would seem obvious since the city's hotels were sold out,(a
