Randall trims fireworks donation by $1,000

Photo by aconant via morgueFile.com

The Randall Town Board in a split vote decreased its contribution for this year’s Libertyfest fireworks display from $1,500 to $500 on Thursday night.

The discussion before the 3 to 2 vote ranged from penny pinching to patriotism.

Voting for the decrease were Supervisors Rose Nolan, who made the motion to decrease the donation, Bob Gehring and Mark Halvey. Voting against the lower donation were Chairman Bob Stoll and Supervisor Mike Halvorson, in his first meeting after winning election April 6.

Nolan said the chamber had new resources for funding fireworks this year and the town needed to watch its spending.

“We need to start somewhere,” Nolan said.

Bruce Melling, a Randall resident and member of the Plan Commission as well as a member of the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association board of directors acknowledged the chamber had launched a new fundraiser for fireworks and Libertyfest this year. But maintaining funding from other sources is still needed.

“We try to do different funding mechanisms because it (fireworks) is expensive,” Melling said.

Stoll pointed out the town did budget $1,500 for the donation.

Halvorson defended the larger donation as being bigger than just the money.

“It is a celebration of our nation’s birthday,” Halvorson said. “I think the celebration of our nation’s birthday should be put ahead of some other things.”

Libertyfest is the Twin Lakes Area Chamber and Business Association’s annual Fourth of July weekend celebration. Fireworks are planned for Saturday, July 3.

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