Fireworks Show Snuffed by Council

The skies above Moorpark will be much quieter this July 3 than in the past. The city will not hold its traditional fireworks show at Arroyo Vista Community Park this year because of a cost-cutting measure.

Director of Community Services Mary Lindley said the City Council struggled with the decision to cut the fireworks display but was faced with little choice because of a shortfall in this year’s budget.

“It was a very successful event, and it was very difficult to let it go,” she said. “The council deliberated very long about that one, and it was a difficult decision to make.”

Lindley said the event, which cost $15,000 to produce, typically raised about $5,000 each year, leaving the city with a $10,000 bill once the fireworks ended.

Officials said they were left having to cut certain events from the operating budget once a ballot measure to provide a park maintenance assessment was defeated in September 1997. When Measure P failed to get the two-thirds majority it needed to pass, the city was left having to pay for park upkeep and improvements.

“Unfortunately, with the parks assessment not passing the first time, this is one of the cases where something had to be cut,” said Councilman Chris Evans.