SAN CLEMENTE : City Will Preserve July 4 Celebration
The City Council last week voted 5 to 0 to hold the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration despite a projected shortfall of $2.5 million in next year’s budget.
Council members at their meeting last Wednesday rejected City Manager Michael W. Parness’ suggestion that they consider canceling the popular event in light of the city’s budget woes.
The event, a city tradition for nearly 40 years, is expected to cost the city about $30,000 this year.
Councilman Scott Diehl said canceling the celebration would probably cost the city more in the long run in terms of lost tourist dollars. He said additional police would probably be needed in the area anyway since the holiday falls on a Saturday this year.
“From a tourist-oriented-city standpoint, we would be shooting ourselves in the foot in terms of revenue that could be coming into the city,” Diehl said.
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