Fortunes of La Crescenta Chamber Fall as Fund-Raiser Fizzles : Finances: Failure of pyrotechnic to perform has led to staff layouts and cuts in sponsorships by civic group.

For the last two years, the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July fireworks display has been the group’s major fund-raiser, garnering nearly $25,000 annually to help pay the chamber’s operating expenses and to support local charities.

The chamber sold more than 5,000 tickets at $4 and $5 each for what was to have been a sparkling holiday show last Independence Day.

But the fireworks display fizzled into a financial disaster for the chamber and allegations of dishonesty against the man hired to light up the night.

As the stands at the local high school began to fill, disappointed chamber members were forced to send the crowd home after the pyrotechnic, William Lovick, called to say he was sick with food poisoning and could not proceed.

After pledging refunds to disappointed ticket holders, the organization has virtually run out of money, leaving hundreds of people waiting for reimbursements. The chamber has also been forced to lay off its office manager, cut back office hours, and drop sponsorship of other community activities.

“It was a heavy hit, definitely,” chamber President Warren Boehm said of the loss. “We’re not bankrupt. We’re not going to go under, but the belt is down to the closest notch.”

Adding to their frustration, chamber officials said they have just discovered that Lovick apparently was at the Saugus Speedway, preparing to light a Fourth of July fireworks show there, when he should have been at their show.

So the group is considering legal action against Lovick and the Utah-based company hired to coordinate the displays in La Crescenta and Saugus.

Battalion Chief Jesus Burciaga, of the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Prevention Unit, confirmed that Lovick was “trying to do two shows at the same time.” Lovick could not be reached.

Ken Lantis, owner of Lantis Productions in Salt Lake City, said his company “wouldn’t have done this on purpose for any reason.” But he said “if this man (Lovick) wasn’t well enough to shoot safely, then by golly, he did the right thing.”

Lantis said he does not believe that his firm should have to reimburse the chamber for its losses.

Robert P. Kragulac, an attorney for the chamber, said Lovick was at the Crescenta Valley High School athletic field on the afternoon of July 4 to set up the pyrotechnics. Later, though, Lovick said he felt ill and was going home to rest before the show. He never returned.

Kragulac believes that Lovick went to the Saugus Speedway. After setting up the show there, Lovick told officials there that he felt ill and needed to go home to rest, Kragulac said.

Chamber members believe that Lovick intended to return to La Crescenta in time for the 9 p.m. show, then planned to go back to Saugus to set off their fireworks at 11 p.m.

However, Burciaga said that once Lovick set up the Saugus fireworks, the fire inspector there refused to allow him to leave. The inspector said that he “didn’t feel comfortable with (Lovick) leaving, that he was responsible for that product and had to remain at that site,” Burciaga said.

County fire inspectors have the discretion to require a pyrotechnic to stay with a fireworks display once it is loaded and ready to go.

Kragulac said that he has called Lantis to discuss possible compensation, but has not received a response from the firm’s lawyer.

In the meantime, Boehm said the chamber is organizing small-scale fund-raisers to replenish the group’s treasury, and to repay ticket holders. Most people have been understanding, the chamber president said.

“People have called in and said we sent in our tickets (for refunds) a month ago and we haven’t heard anything,” he said. “We’ve called them back and said: ‘We don’t have any money. We’re waiting to get funds, and when we do, we’ll pay you back.’ ”

Times correspondent Ed Stockly contributed to this story.