Chamber not opposed to fireworks location, clarifies issues
by Peter Jakey-Managing Editor
Members of the Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce conducted a community meeting to clarify issues related to the recent fireworks controversy and other matters.
The public and area media were invited to attend Tuesday’s meeting at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5857.
An Onaway city contingent, which included city manager Joe Hefele, along with commissioners Bernie Schmeltzer and Jessie Horrocks, was there as well.
Even though there was an air of tension, which can only be blamed on recent and upcoming recalls of city commission members, there was some civil discussion between city and chamber members.
It also appears as if the flap involving the fireworks is over, as chamber board members want to continue their role as fundraising agent for the annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration.
The meeting started with the chamber conducting routine business, before giving the floor to James Gibson, the former police chief who has been involved in the recall of city commissioners.
He commented on letters from the city received by chamber president Connie Gibson referencing the city taking over the tree lighting at Chandler Park and the chamber’s lease at city hall.
Regarding the tree lighting, “the thing we want to clear up was there was no communication between the city and the chamber, over this issue. So, it was a surprise to us.”
Gibson said another letter was sent to the chamber president at her home and it stated, “There were some conditions on whether or not the city would renew the lease.”
The city was seeking a copy of the chamber financial report, a list of the dues paying members, as well as a list of the board members and when they were elected.
“When we received these, there was no citing of a violation of the lease,” said Gibson. He said, based on the discussion of the city commission, “It just appeared that we probably would not get the renewal of the lease. The board decided we would seek another location for the chamber.” They are now located at the former Cardinal Real Estate office along M-211.
Gibson also said the chamber was concerned about a comment made in a letter to the editor (LTE) from commissioner Bernie Schmeltzer regarding the future location of the fireworks display.
Gibson read the sentence that he said concerned chamber members: “ ‘Our usual fireworks display spot is in jeopardy because the current property owners will not allow the fireworks display to take place unless some of the current board members step down.’
Gibson continued, “In reading that, basically what our intent was, when we started this, was to preserve the fireworks for the Fourth of July in this community. (The letter) opened up a Pandora’s box that has led us to where we are today. We just want to let people know, that this was not the intent of the chamber, to take over the fireworks. We want to preserve the fireworks for the community.” The fireworks are fired on Tim Horrocks’ property north of Onaway.
When the floor was opened to the public, Cardinal Real Estate owner Deb Artrip wanted to know the status of the fireworks, and urged chamber and city officials to “move forward. I would like to see some kind of collaboration where everybody understands what their position is,” said Artrip.
“We have no problems with the fireworks being held out there,” said chamber director Judy Shaloy.
Artrip urged the two entities to move forward. Board members said that’s what they are trying to do.
“I noticed there are members of the city here, can we get some conversation going?” Artrip asked. “I would like to see what the city has to say.”
Hefele said, “We are insured through the Michigan Municipal League, and we are the only entity that is able to get fireworks insurance.” It costs $750 and it is $2 million worth of coverage, which is the city’s contribution. He said it extends to the Horrocks family, as well as the chamber. “It holds them harmless, God forbid, there be any type of accident.”
Hefele said the most important aspect of the fireworks display is the safety of the location. “We are not going to budge on having it at the safest possible location.”
At recent city commission meetings, there has been discussion about the chamber trying to move the location.
“The owner of the field is comfortable with the show continuing there, as long as the city is responsible, and that’s because we have done it so many times before,” said Hefele. He also is not opposed to having a back up location if the property is ever sold.
Hefele said he would like the issue put to bed. “There are other issues, I understand, but on the fireworks issue I have to get that application in early because it takes a while to be processed.” He said the insurance carrier will be expecting a payment in March.
“This can’t be in limbo,” said Hefele. “If we keep doing this, we are going to put the entire fireworks show in limbo.”
Hefele said the Horrocks’ field remains available as long as the city is the responsible party.
“The chamber’s issue was, what was presented to the public, is that they had done something wrong,” said Artrip. “That if certain people don’t resign that our event will be jeopardized. I think what they want is an acknowledgment that they did nothing wrong.”
Hefele commented that there were other things that happened, “I am not going to go there, but there were other things that occurred prior to that letter ever going in, in my mind, equally responsible to anything in the letter, as to how we got to where we got.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Connie Gibson responded.
“And, I think as a community, we don’t,” Artrip said. “I want to see closure.”
“I have no idea what we did,” Connie responded again.
“And I am not going to go there,” said Hefele. He said he would go no further into the discussion than the fireworks location.
James Gibson joined the dialogue, “Deb you’re right. We don’t want to see the fireworks go. That was never our intent. Joe has brought this up several times, that we are the fundraisers for the fireworks. That’s what we do, and that’s what we will continue to do.”
“All we want to do is raise money, so that we can have the fireworks,” said Shaloy. “I don’t care where they are held. I don’t care.”
“Can you tell Joe that, so we can move forward, as a consensus,” Artrip chimed in.
Some members in unison said they do not care where it is held.
Hefele said one of the reasons he was at the meeting was because of a recent “Chamber News” article said there would be a straw poll to decide the location.
Hefele added, “Are we moving forward with the Horrocks’ field?”
“Yes,”
Hefele said what was important to him is, “Are we on the same page? Are we having it here? If we are, I will get the policy and the money in. The second thing is, is the chamber going to be a fundraising agent contributing to the show. If they are not, we need to know that now…because we need to order.”
Connie said the amount to be donated will be $5,000.
Schmeltzer also commented that a follow-up LTE will be going in this week to clarify what Tim Horrocks said.
The meeting was recorded by Sunrise Communications.