Funding OK'd for New Year's fireworks

One council member said there was a communication problem that's mostly the First Night group's fault.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- There will be fireworks at midnight during a New Year's Eve celebration after city council members reconsidered an earlier vote against the funding.
Council members met in special session Tuesday to reconsider an ordinance they had rejected last week. The ordinance was to donate 5,000 to First Night Youngstown Inc. for a fireworks display.
The alcohol-free, family-friendly First Night is in its seventh consecutive year in the city.
Members voted 6-0 Tuesday in favor of the ordinance with Councilman Michael Rapovy, D-5th, absent.
Councilman Mark Memmer, D-7th, one of those who opposed the donation at last week's meeting, said that he and other council members had questions for First Night committee members, but there was no representative from the group to answer them.
The Rev. Edward Noga of St. Patrick Church, First Night vice president, and Nancy Haraburda, treasurer, attended Tuesday's session and gave council members financial information about the event.
Memmer said there was a communication problem between council and the group. But he said the group bears the bulk of the responsibility for that communication problem.
"We don't have an obligation to chase you down," Memmer said. "You're the ones asking for the money."
Communication problem
Although a representative of the group sent a letter in May to Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st, making the request, other council members didn't receive it. Memmer said he reviewed all of the council communication dating back to April and has no record of it.
"It was never my intention nor the intention of others on council to snuff out the fireworks," Memmer said.
Father Noga said that the event includes the midnight fireworks display as well as a 9 p.m. fireworks display funded by the Downtown Kiwanis club. Haraburda said that the 9 p.m. fireworks display started three years ago so that children who can't stay up until midnight could see fireworks.
The total cost of both fireworks displays is 6,000 with the city paying 5,000 for the midnight display and the Kiwanis club footing the 1,000 bill for the 9 p.m. display.
David Bozanich, city finance director, referred to a letter from B.J. Alan Fireworks sent to Mayor Jay Williams. It says that B.J. Alan, which handles the fireworks, provides about 15,000 worth of fireworks for the event but charges only 6,000.
Councilman Rufus Hudson, D-2nd, also was among the council members who had voted against the First Night donation at a meeting last week.
After the Tuesday meeting, Hudson said that council didn't treat the First Night group any differently than other groups seeking donations or funding from the city. Members wanted information about the group's budget and finances, he said.
The May letter asking for the money should have gone to all council members, Hudson said.