Commission Recommends to Not Bring Fireworks Back to San Ramon; What Do You Think?

San Ramon's parks and community service commission voted 5-1 last week to recommend to the City Council to not have fireworks be part of the San Ramon Fourth of July celebration, the Contra Costa Times reported.

Earlier this year, the San Ramon City Council decided to cancel the popular annual firework show, with public safety being the chief concern after an increase in attendance in previous years. Not having fireworks also reduced the cost of the event.

After not having the fireworks this year, the parks and community service commission held public workshops to discuss the possibility of bringing the fireworks back.

The commission reviewed the pros and cons and concluded it was not in the city's best interest to have the fireworks. The commission's recommendation and analysis will be presented to the City Council on Dec. 11.

"The two overriding issues for the commission were the fiscal costs and public safety," the Times quoted Karen McNamara saying, who is the city's public services director.

The Time quoted San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson saying:

"Most people I've talked to would like to see the fireworks return, but only if we can do it in a way that's safe...I know they put a ton of work into it," he said of the commissions findings. "They are a very thoughtful group. I will be curious to get their report and their feedback in a public meeting."

Though they recommended not having fireworks in 2013, the commission asked city staff to evaluate the possibility of bringing the fireworks back in the future.

What do you think of the recommendation? Should San Ramon suspend its fireworks show until the city is in a better financial situation?

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