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V <br />arrboro <br />N.C. <br />September 21, 1990 <br />Mr. John Link, Jr. <br />County Manager <br />P. 0. Box 8181 <br />Hillsborough, N. C. 27278 <br />Dear Mr. Link, <br />SEP 2 4 190 <br />E:] <br />P.O. 8Cx 2; <br />301 West Main Street <br />Carrboro, North Carolina 27510 <br />(919)968.7700 ;919) 942 55a1 <br />For some years we have been concerned with the fireworks display <br />at Town Hall on July 4th. Since the elimination of the fireworks <br />display at Kenan Stadium, the crowd viewing the display at the <br />Town Hall site has grown to alarming proportions. The Carrboro <br />Board of Aldermen has discussed this concern and asked the Town's <br />Recreation and Parks Commission (the group charged with <br />responsibility for our July 4th celebration) to consider inviting <br />participation by the other local government jurisdictions (Chapel <br />Hill and Orange County). <br />It was felt by the Board and Commission that the fireworks <br />display had become an event serving both the municipalities and <br />county. To continue the display, increase the amount of <br />fireworks to -merit viewers' travel time, and provide for adequate <br />public safety will require a team effort since the event has <br />outgrown our ability to meet all of these needs. It has been <br />decided by the Commission that the Town Hall site can no longer <br />be used and meet minimum safety standards. <br />I have been asked to communicate this concern to both Managers <br />and ask that you approach your respective governing body as to <br />their willingness to investigate this matter further. The costs <br />of the fireworks (if all jurisdictions participated) would be <br />approximately $9,000 for a cost of $3,000 per jurisdiction. This <br />would more than triple the present fireworks display. The cost <br />for public safety needs can only be determined when and if a <br />suitable site could be found. <br />The Recreation and Parks Commission views the Fireworks display <br />as a function that is primarily controlled by public safety <br />factors. It is their suggestion, that if one or both of the <br />jurisdictions express interest in participating, that the <br />interested parties develop a committee of public safety officers <br />to determine site factors, choose a site and be responsible for <br />the firewor'.=s display in total. Since these agencies coordinate <br />