Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Yet once again Pickerington finds a way to become the laughing stock of Central Ohio... now we're the epi-center of the PETA movement to have a laser light show instead of fireworks.



By Big Bow Wow

PETA offers deal for laser firew

PETA offers deal for laser fireworks
Thursday, December 4, 2008 3:24 AM

BY JIM WOODS

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is ready to help rescue Pickerington's endangered Independence Day celebration if the city agrees to take the bang out of its show.

Pickerington officials placed the city's fireworks show on the chopping block last month after voters turned down a proposal to double the income tax.

After PETA leaders saw a news story about the cut, they offered to contribute $1,000 to Pickerington if the city would promise to replace its fireworks display with a much quieter laser show. The national animal-rights organization says the offer is prompted by deaths and injuries suffered by dogs and cats frightened by fireworks.

''These (fireworks) displays are designed to simulate 'bombs bursting in air,' so it's easy to understand the fear that animals experience,'' said PETA Vice President Daphna Nachiminovitch. ''By switching to laser shows, Pickerington can wow its citizens and protect animals, too.''

Pickerington leaders are taking the offer seriously.

The city needs to cut $1.4 million from its 2009 budget. One recommendation was to cancel the July Fourth parade and fireworks to save $28,000.
Mayor Mitch O'Brien received the letter from PETA on Monday and asked his staff and the City Council to check it out. ''It's an alternative,'' O'Brien said. ''We're always looking for alternatives.''

Councilman Mike Sabatino, who owns three dogs, said he thought PETA was considerate to make the offer. ''I am from the school of thought that just because we have done something one way for years doesn't mean it's the best thing,'' he said.
Pickerington Parks and Recreation Director Steve Carr said fireworks cost the city $15,000 last year. He said one contractor told him a 25-minute laser-light show would cost $9,500.
The question, though, is whether Pickerington has the right venue for a laser-light show. The city holds its fireworks display at Victory Park, where it can be seen for miles. A laser-light show works better in a more enclosed space, Carr said.

Carr recently posted questions on a Web site for Ohio parks professionals asking whether PETA had offered help to their communities and whether they had discussed switching from fireworks to laser-light shows. He said all 20 who responded said no to both questions.

A park official from Lake County said farm animals that live on their site are not visibly affected by an annual July Fourth fireworks display.

But Lisa Wahoff, director of the Franklin County Dog Shelter, said PETA is right about fireworks. The number of stray dogs usually doubles the day after Independence Day fireworks displays, she said. In a holiday weekend, that means she sees 90 stray dogs rather than 45.

''It's absolutely a big deal,'' Wahoff said.
Still, Pickerington might have a more lucrative offer: The Violet Township trustees have offered to contribute up to $10,000 toward Pickerington's fireworks show.

Violet Township Administrator Bill Yaple said he didn't know about PETA's offer to Pickerington. He said he would ask the trustees whether their offer to help would stand if Pickerington chose laser lights over fireworks.

''I have seen a laser light show,'' Yaple said. ''I enjoyed it, but I don't know if everybody would.''

jwoods@dispatch.com

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Well, it?’s satisfying to see at least one of our elected officials is looking not only to trim the budget but seek alternatives for the programs and services cut. I disagree with the reporter?’s statement that ?“Still, Pickerington might have a more lucrative offer: The Violet Township trustees have offered to contribute up to $10,000 toward Pickerington's fireworks show.?”
If the laser show costs $9500 and PETA is paying $1000, that leaves the city with a cost of only $8500. If the city matches the township?’s $10000 contribution, it costs us $1500 more. Is $1500 all that big of a deal? Better ask Brian Sauer that question. In his upcoming parade of outsourcing all city services $1500 might get another cousin of his another contract.

$1500 or $15000?

I think you meant $15,000 not $1,500.