Members of a volunteer fireworks committee say they are researching ways to make the annual Fourth of July fireworks a safer event.
Lake Orion Village Council members asked representatives from the LO Fireworks Association, the Lake Orion Lions Club and the Mid-America Show to come to the July 26 council meeting.
The council wanted to review the success and the safety of the Lions Jubilee and the fireworks night. Representatives from the Lions and the carnival were unable to attend.
Shooting fireworks off of Green’s Park on M-24 has a good safety record. Some minor complaints about debris from the fireworks coming down on vehicles, buildings and people have been reported in the past.
‘We almost have a perfect safety record,? committee member Nick Christi said. ‘But we’re not going to say we can’t make it safer.?
Christi said the committee is contemplating acquiring four 24 foot pontoon boats that could be tied together and used as a platform to shoot off rounds of fireworks.
‘A steel box could be built around the outside and filled with rounds and sand,? he added.
According to pyro-technician Glenn Stokes, there’s some new technology that would enable him to use radio controlled switches if barges are used.
Other suggestions were to utilize either Squaw Island (near Green’s Park) or the island that’s next to the sand bar on the other side of the lake.
‘No one admits to owning it (Squaw Island) and we would have to find the owner of the island off the sand bar,? Stokes added.
LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh told council members he was in favor of using barges.
‘This would keep it within the village. It would open up more public viewing area,? he added.
Christie indicated using barges would cost more money. ‘Between the three of us (himself, Stokes and Cary Cyrowski), we should be able to come up with some alternatives.?
He urged the council to continue supporting the fireworks event. ‘It’s the one weekend that brings a feeling of community and spirit. It’s the one thing we have left,? he said.
Narsh said, during the night of the fireworks, complaints included unruly house parties, unwanted or unruly guests and illegal fireworks. The complaints were primarily in residential areas.
‘Several arrests were made where violations were discovered. There were no injuries to the pyrotechnic operators inside of Green’s Park,? he added.
The only problem that involved the carnival downtown was several nearby residents complaining about noise generated by specific rides.