The police union said that it will not be used as a scapegoat for Mayor Art Ward's decision to cancel plans for fireworks during the city's 225th anniversary celebration next month.
According to a press release sent out by the union last night, neither Police Chief John DiVenere nor any other city officials talked with the union before the mayor announced he would cancel the fireworks show on June 12.
"The membership of the Bristol Police Union was never even offered the opportunity to work the event," according to the release from Peter Kott, the union president.
When the police union learned of the supposed staffing problems, it expressed a willingness to talk with city leaders to find a solution, the union said.
"Whatever the real reasons behind the cancellation of the event, "we can assure the residents of the city of Bristol that the Bristol Police Union is not the impediment here."
"We have a long record of community involvement and we recognize the historic nature of this event," the release said. "The union will not be used as scapegoats."
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Showing posts with label fireworks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fireworks. Show all posts
May 28, 2010
May 27, 2010
Community ready to pitch in for fireworks, but show fizzles anyway
Hoping to ease the financial blow that fireworks would mean for the city, a group of volunteers fanned out yesterday to collect as much cash as they could so the show could go on.
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said that within 24 hours, they had more than $3,000 worth of pledges -- half the money needed to pay overtime for police officers to provide security.
Cockayne said he thought this morning that it was all going to work out.
Then the plug got pulled.
The city's 225th anniversary committee met and decided to cancel the fireworks, Cockayne said.
Mayor Art Ward said it wasn't about the money. It was about the manpower.
He said the city couldn't get enough police officers to make sure the public would be safe during a fireworks show taking place so close to homes and businesses.
Ward said Police Chief John DiVenere is writing an extensive memorandum today explaining exactly why it's not possible.
It's not clear whether the chief or the city has asked the police union what, if anything, it can do to help clear the way for the fireworks to go on. Nor is it clear why the city can't use private duty officers from other towns to cover the fireworks or the car show earlier on June 12 or ask St. Anthony's to rely on officers from other towns to patrol its carnival the same day.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City Councilor Ken Cockayne said that within 24 hours, they had more than $3,000 worth of pledges -- half the money needed to pay overtime for police officers to provide security.
Cockayne said he thought this morning that it was all going to work out.
Then the plug got pulled.
The city's 225th anniversary committee met and decided to cancel the fireworks, Cockayne said.
Mayor Art Ward said it wasn't about the money. It was about the manpower.
He said the city couldn't get enough police officers to make sure the public would be safe during a fireworks show taking place so close to homes and businesses.
Ward said Police Chief John DiVenere is writing an extensive memorandum today explaining exactly why it's not possible.
It's not clear whether the chief or the city has asked the police union what, if anything, it can do to help clear the way for the fireworks to go on. Nor is it clear why the city can't use private duty officers from other towns to cover the fireworks or the car show earlier on June 12 or ask St. Anthony's to rely on officers from other towns to patrol its carnival the same day.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
May 25, 2010
Ward: No to fireworks
Don't miss reporter Jackie Majerus' story about Mayor Art Ward's decision to cancel the fireworks planned for the city's 225th anniversary celebration.After the police chief said he couldn't get enough officers to cover the event, Ward decided to KO the show that city councilors recently approved and the 225th Anniversary Committee had arranged.
One of the committee members, Tom Dickau, quit in disgust. He said the fireworks were the linchpin of the entire weekend (June 11th to the 13th).
A car show, a soap box derby race and more remains of the weekend plans, but there won't be any rockets roaring up from the former mall site -- unless residents create some fireworks of their own.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
April 22, 2010
City plans fireworks show in June
More accurately, it’s angling for a lot of explosions overhead with a big fireworks show downtown.
The city’s 225th Anniversary Committee is trying to raise $12,000 to pay for a fireworks display June 12 on the former mall site on North Main Street.
The committee has been asking businesses, organizations and residents to assist with the expense. CLICK HERE FOR STORY
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
November 15, 2007
Ban on fireworks sales postponed, or maybe killed
Concerned about an explosion of opposition, city councilors may be afraid to light the fuse on a proposed ban on selling fireworks in town.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro said it "makes no sense whatsoever" to ban fireworks allowed by state law from being sold within Bristol’s borders.
He said he doesn’t see the rationale for taking sparklers away from children when the same fireworks can be purchased legally in every neighboring town and used in Bristol.
The council declined recently to approve the proposed restriction on selling fireworks that former Mayor William Stortz touted. He argued that the police and fire departments shouldn’t have to squander so much time and attention on fireworks every summer.
Councilor Mike Rimcoski said that the proposed ordinance, which was sent back to committee for more research, would basically stop the sale of fireworks.
"We’re shutting down an enterprise" if the council backs the proposed law, Rimcoski said.
He said the city’s public safety personnel have "to try and control" the improper use of fireworks, but preventing their sale won’t help.
Nicastro called the proposed "a little disturbing" because it would cut into traditional fun by youngsters.
The Ordinance Committee that considered Stortz’s request couldn’t make up its mind on the issue, sending the proposed law to the council without making a recommendation one way or another about whether to enact the statute.
Councilor Craig Minor, the new chairman of the panel, said he was troubled by the lack of direction from the panel. He said it should be sent back to the committee for more consideration.
Councilor Kevin McCauley said there is too much abuse of fireworks, but he also agreed that it was best to let the committee look into the issue more deeply.
Stortz raised the idea last summer, after public-safety officials devoted considerable time to checking on the safety of fireworks dealers in Bristol, most of which are temporary businesses. They found a couple of people selling illegal fireworks.
Stortz argued the calls to check on fireworks required the police and fire departments to allocate scarce resources without providing a benefit to the city.
"Sales within the city are not anything where the city benefits economically," Stortz said at the time. "No taxes are levied, and the permit fee for standalone booths is minimal. Restricting sales would reduce the use of fireworks and lead to fewer problems, he said.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
City Councilor Frank Nicastro said it "makes no sense whatsoever" to ban fireworks allowed by state law from being sold within Bristol’s borders.
He said he doesn’t see the rationale for taking sparklers away from children when the same fireworks can be purchased legally in every neighboring town and used in Bristol.
The council declined recently to approve the proposed restriction on selling fireworks that former Mayor William Stortz touted. He argued that the police and fire departments shouldn’t have to squander so much time and attention on fireworks every summer.
Councilor Mike Rimcoski said that the proposed ordinance, which was sent back to committee for more research, would basically stop the sale of fireworks.
"We’re shutting down an enterprise" if the council backs the proposed law, Rimcoski said.
He said the city’s public safety personnel have "to try and control" the improper use of fireworks, but preventing their sale won’t help.
Nicastro called the proposed "a little disturbing" because it would cut into traditional fun by youngsters.
The Ordinance Committee that considered Stortz’s request couldn’t make up its mind on the issue, sending the proposed law to the council without making a recommendation one way or another about whether to enact the statute.
Councilor Craig Minor, the new chairman of the panel, said he was troubled by the lack of direction from the panel. He said it should be sent back to the committee for more consideration.
Councilor Kevin McCauley said there is too much abuse of fireworks, but he also agreed that it was best to let the committee look into the issue more deeply.
Stortz raised the idea last summer, after public-safety officials devoted considerable time to checking on the safety of fireworks dealers in Bristol, most of which are temporary businesses. They found a couple of people selling illegal fireworks.
Stortz argued the calls to check on fireworks required the police and fire departments to allocate scarce resources without providing a benefit to the city.
"Sales within the city are not anything where the city benefits economically," Stortz said at the time. "No taxes are levied, and the permit fee for standalone booths is minimal. Restricting sales would reduce the use of fireworks and lead to fewer problems, he said.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
October 16, 2007
Fireworks only allowed at council meetings?
The city is considering a ban on the sale of fireworks.
An ordinance is under consideration that would prohibit the sale of any fireworks within the boundaries of Bristol.
Residents would still be free to purchase legal fireworks in other towns and use them in town, officials said.
City Councilor Ellen Zoppo said there will be a public hearing on the proposed ban at 6 p.m, Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the meeting room at City Hall.
Zoppo, who chairs the ordinance committee, said that officials are interested in hearing what people have to say.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro expressed skepticism about the far-reaching ban.
"We're going to ban little kids' sparklers?" Nicasto asked.
Mayor William Stortz raised the idea last summer after public safety officials devoted considerable time to checking on the safety of fireworkers dealers in Bristol, most of which are temporary businesses. They also found a couple of people selling illegal fireworks, officials said.
Connecticut allows the sale of small fireworks.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
An ordinance is under consideration that would prohibit the sale of any fireworks within the boundaries of Bristol.
Residents would still be free to purchase legal fireworks in other towns and use them in town, officials said.
City Councilor Ellen Zoppo said there will be a public hearing on the proposed ban at 6 p.m, Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the meeting room at City Hall.
Zoppo, who chairs the ordinance committee, said that officials are interested in hearing what people have to say.
City Councilor Frank Nicastro expressed skepticism about the far-reaching ban.
"We're going to ban little kids' sparklers?" Nicasto asked.
Mayor William Stortz raised the idea last summer after public safety officials devoted considerable time to checking on the safety of fireworkers dealers in Bristol, most of which are temporary businesses. They also found a couple of people selling illegal fireworks, officials said.
Connecticut allows the sale of small fireworks.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
July 10, 2007
Fireworks at council meeting tonight
While I was away, Mayor William Stortz issued this press release:
Bristol, CT, July 6, 2007 - In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz announced that he is requesting that the City Council, through its Ordinance Committee, review City regulations regarding the sale and use of fireworks, and consider the possibility of restricting the sale of fireworks within City limits.
Stortz said, “I have received numerous calls and comments regarding the use of fire works, starting many weeks prior to the traditional use of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July.
These calls, and those to the Police Department, require the use of our resources as we respond and/or follow up. When the complaints are received, and acted on, our officers are precluded from other functions, from ongoing patrols, traffic stops, and other more serous issues. While we do prioritize, when multiple calls are received, every call does deserve a response, in a timely fashion. A large number of calls does make that difficult.”
Stortz continued, “At the same time, resources are required to assure that all laws are being met regarding sales. We have seen where the laws have been violated. Each of these incidents, either by complaint or activity, initiated by local authorities, again requires resources.”
Said Stortz, “Sales within the City are not anything where the City benefits economically. No taxes are levied, and the permit fee for standalone booths is minimal.
Restriction or prohibition of sales will reduce the availability locally, thereby hopefully reducing the numerous complaints.
Other communities have taken action in this regard.
The Council/committee, will have adequate time to review the issue prior to the next fireworks season, and develop meaningful legislation, if deemed appropriate.”
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Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
Bristol, CT, July 6, 2007 - In a prepared release, Mayor William T. Stortz announced that he is requesting that the City Council, through its Ordinance Committee, review City regulations regarding the sale and use of fireworks, and consider the possibility of restricting the sale of fireworks within City limits.
Stortz said, “I have received numerous calls and comments regarding the use of fire works, starting many weeks prior to the traditional use of fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July.
These calls, and those to the Police Department, require the use of our resources as we respond and/or follow up. When the complaints are received, and acted on, our officers are precluded from other functions, from ongoing patrols, traffic stops, and other more serous issues. While we do prioritize, when multiple calls are received, every call does deserve a response, in a timely fashion. A large number of calls does make that difficult.”
Stortz continued, “At the same time, resources are required to assure that all laws are being met regarding sales. We have seen where the laws have been violated. Each of these incidents, either by complaint or activity, initiated by local authorities, again requires resources.”
Said Stortz, “Sales within the City are not anything where the City benefits economically. No taxes are levied, and the permit fee for standalone booths is minimal.
Restriction or prohibition of sales will reduce the availability locally, thereby hopefully reducing the numerous complaints.
Other communities have taken action in this regard.
The Council/committee, will have adequate time to review the issue prior to the next fireworks season, and develop meaningful legislation, if deemed appropriate.”
*******
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
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