The Fourth of July fireworks show will go on as planned in Bay Minette, now that the City Council has agreed to help the Rotary Club pay for the annual display.
The Rotary sponsors the community event, which now costs $9,750. Sponsorships are sought — including a $2,000 annual contribution already pledged by the city — but fundraising efforts have fallen short in recent years.
Rotary President Craig Caldwell said the club raised only $8,300 last year and members had to dip into their own pockets to make up the shortfall. With the economy on the downswing, club members are nervous that it will collect even less this year.
"We need your support and we need your help to keep it going," Caldwell told the council in last week's work session. Caldwell asked the council to provide an additional $2,875 toward the show, thereby splitting the overall cost with the club.
Some council members initially balked at that amount and Councilman Danleigh Corbett asked if half that amount would be adequate, but Caldwell said the club needed to know it would have sufficient funds to cover the fireworks show. The council agreed to pay up to $2,875 more — ensuring that any shortfall left from fundraising will be covered by the city. The council later voted unanimously during its regular meeting to that arrangement.
Councilman Mike Phillips said the fireworks show is a big event for Bay Minette and needs the support of the city. "I think we can find the appropriation for this year," Phillips said, adding that the downturn in the economy has affected everyone. "Y'all are in a fix and we are in a fix."
In other business, the council:
Heard a presentation by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce on its programs and plans for the year, including a new event on Oct. 3 billed as a "community showcase" to be held at the city arena. The fundraiser would include a barbecue cookoff and other family-oriented events.
Chamber President Gail McInnish also asked the council to consider taking over payments of the nearly $6,000 in utilities for its city-owned building on McMeans Avenue.
The city had covered those utilities — including gas, power and electric bills — since the chamber opened at its current site in 1987 but discontinued that practice in May 2005 under former Mayor Sonny Dobbins. Prior to that, the Chamber of Commerce was housed at Bay Minette City Hall.