Fireworks Displays Fizzle In Cash-Strapped Communities

Plans for Fourth of July fireworks have fizzled this year in several of the nation’s cash-strapped cities and towns.  About two dozen communities have pulled the plug on fireworks celebrations because of tight local budgets. 

Lynn Arnow, Executive Aide to the Mayor of Stamford, says it costs the city about $120,000 for their fireworks show.  But when the tough economy forced layoffs and cuts to libraries and community centers, officials decided it was time to cancel the celebration.

"Even though the fireworks are a great thing and something that all of our residents are tremendously going to miss, we felt that those monies really would benefit those agencies and the cuts that we were forced to make in other areas."

Skies will also be dark over Antioch, California, Akron, Ohio and Jersey City, New Jersey.  

For WNPR, I'm Diane Orson.