Cornell City Council - Fireworks display is in danger of being shorter

By Ginna Young

The annual July 3 fireworks display, at Mill Yard Park in Cornell, draws in hundreds, if not thousands of onlookers. Coming from miles around and even other states, visitors to the area during that time, bring in a lot of economic impact, not just to gas stations, restaurants and ice cream shops, but also lodging establishments and area camping parks.

This year, however, the display might not be as brilliant or last as long. When receiving the fireworks proposal from J& M Displays, it was discovered that while the $5,640 price tag remains the same as last year, the shell count is down by about 200.

In the annual city budget, Cornell designated $4,000 toward the display, but post-COVID prices shot through the roof, so some fundraising efforts were held, but that money has since been depleted. This year, city administrator Dave DeJongh went ahead and budgeted the full amount for the display, but did not count on the proposal with lesser shells.

It was decided that the city either has to try to find some money somewhere, rely on donations of individuals or organizations, or go with the lesser shell count. It was agreed at the council meeting March 6, to send the matter to the Finance Committee, prior to the April 3 meeting.

For sure, no one wants the display to go away, as it is such a huge event, even prompting others to stray away from fireworks July 4, in favor of a nearby date.

“We were kind of the pioneers on that,” said council president Steve Turany.

DeJongh also shared that Brightspeed has a plan to expand fiber access city-wide, which will give residents another option for those services. The city has a pole attachment agreement that is old, that was prepared for TDS, so the attorney is updating it for Brightspeed.

DeJongh will go over the new agreement with city supervisor Derek Braun, as he knows that many operate out of businesses and homes, through fiber internet access.

“That’s kind of the way the world is moving toward,” said DeJongh.

It was also mentioned that city signage on entrances to Cornell has to be updated, as the WisDOT says it’s not appropriate to restrict engine braking. State statutes say that municipalities can allow engine braking, but trucks must have engine braking mufflers.

“We’re going to have to revamp those signs and I guess the night parking restriction signs have to be modified, too,” said DeJongh.