Council discusses future of July 3rd fireworks display

The annual July 3 fireworks display may end or change vendors because too few donations came in to cover last year’s display, Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon King has said.

King spoke of the situation during her annual report at the regular Portales City Council meeting Tuesday.

“Our fireworks display ran into a problem last year because we didn’t raise the money we were looking for,” she said. “We were a little over $1,000 short, which really hurts us, so we’re going to have to look into some options for this year.”

King said one option was find another vender and have the event on July 4, or not have it for a year until money is built back up.

Two days after the bash, the chamber sent out requests for donations for the $1,900 fireworks display deficit.

According to a Portales New-Tribune article, the chamber paid $8,500 for the bash. The Lodger’s Tax Fund provided $3,000, and the rest had to come from private donations.

Portales Mayor Orlando Ortega Jr. said some people have told him they think it makes sense to have the bash on July 4.

King said the chamber was going to investigate hiring the person who handles fireworks for Eastern New Mexico University’s Dawg Days and Homecoming, and seeing if he can provide a larger display. She said the only concern is having a contractor without references and who has never seen the chamber’s display.

In other business, the council:

• Heard that people should report pot holes to City Hall at 356-6662.

• Approved a proclamation declaring Friday TRIO Day in Portales. TRIO is a set of three U.S. Department of Education programs that seek to support people with low incomes, first-generation college students and people with disabilities in their education.