Henry Raymond

Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: wwiihistory on July 04, 2009, 08:41:38 AM

Title: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: wwiihistory on July 04, 2009, 08:41:38 AM: Hi Henry,

Can you tell me/us where the Fairfax fireworks will be set off from this year?

Thanks
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Henry on July 04, 2009, 08:48:56 AM: No Fireworks (Legal that is) as per my post:

http://www.vtgrandpa.com/forum/index.php?topic=6347.0 (http://www.vtgrandpa.com/forum/index.php?topic=6347.0)
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: woodstoves2 on July 04, 2009, 10:57:39 PM: I delayed my evening stroll around the village until 9:30. Sure enough, there were fireworks going off all around me. It was a different experience with sporadic booms and blooms both near and far...
from the cute pop and spray off a driveway to a roiling, generous storm of noise and light down by the river to the pulsing silent flashes on the horizon from Westford and Milton. At one point, eight to twelve nearby sites were going off all at once all around me. I walked up Huntsville Road in time to see a rich display coming off Smuggler's Notch. In between bursts, fireflies kept the fields sparkling. That's the best spot because it's high and offers a 240-degree view of the valley.
'Probably looks good from the homes way up on Buck Hollow Road, too.

Legal-shmegal, in 25 years I've never seen so many fireworks set off in Fairfax. Well, after all, it is about celebrating "Liberty"! Thanks to all those scofflaws out there who put on such a great show. If anyone does get fined, shouldn't the money go to next year's town fireworks?( Not that we really need them.)
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Mike Raburn on July 04, 2009, 11:28:09 PM: Fireworks are illegal in Anchorage due to our population density. (And silly people)

The fact is I have NEVER heard of a fire being started here in Anchorage due to fireworks.

It is an urban myth like the razor blades in Halloween candy.

LIGHT OFF your fireworks.

I am out in my backyard ready to blaze off a few items.

HEY, ya'll WATCH THIS!!!!!
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Cat on July 04, 2009, 11:30:21 PM: We had so much fun doing our fireworks. Can't wait until next year.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: dearon on July 05, 2009, 08:23:33 AM: Thanks for the show of fireworks last night & to all those who enjoy freedom and liberty. I was watching from my warm living room, no bugs, no rain in here; just beautiful fireworks that lasted for over an hour. I saw them going on at several sites across the river and also across the field:) Let freedom ring:)
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 05, 2009, 08:32:33 AM: I attended a casual party and they set off a wonderful professional display, as did many of the folk near us. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars were spent. Talking to folks the best way we can get fireworks on the town budget is for the younger generation to attend town meeting. It has been of the floor various times, but since the older generation usually attend, it always gets voted down.

If you want fireworks you have to attend town meeting. Its that simple. numbers count, and nothing will ever change if you don't go and vote or voice your concerns at town meeting. The same people attend every year, and the same stuff happens. We are a democracy and do have a voice, but you must rally yourselves and your friends and make it happen.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: slpott on July 05, 2009, 08:57:53 AM: Just think. If the town sold permits to everyone that wanted to be "legal", that is a good way to save for a town function. I know in the bigger cities they charge for garage sales too? Not sure about here but there would be a lot of money raised if they charged everytime the main street garage sale opened up. I think the town lost out on a lot of money this year because every one that I know wanted a permit and was refused, they still shot off fireworks. I saw the best show I ever have. Maybe there are lessons learned.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Cat on July 05, 2009, 10:34:43 AM: Quote from: slpott on July 05, 2009, 08:57:53 AM

Just think. If the town sold permits to everyone that wanted to be "legal", that is a good way to save for a town function. I know in the bigger cities they charge for garage sales too? Not sure about here but there would be a lot of money raised if they charged everytime the main street garage sale opened up. I think the town lost out on a lot of money this year because every one that I know wanted a permit and was refused, they still shot off fireworks. I saw the best show I ever have. Maybe there are lessons learned.

I agree, they could had made some money on those permits. It didn't stop people from doing them.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: dearon on July 05, 2009, 12:02:48 PM: Quote from: edakrupp on July 05, 2009, 08:32:33 AM
I attended a casual party and they set off a wonderful professional display, as did many of the folk near us. Hundreds if not thousands of dollars were spent. Talking to folks the best way we can get fireworks on the town budget is for the younger generation to attend town meeting. It has been of the floor various times, but since the older generation usually attend, it always gets voted down.

If you want fireworks you have to attend town meeting. Its that simple. numbers count, and nothing will ever change if you don't go and vote or voice your concerns at town meeting. The same people attend every year, and the same stuff happens. We are a democracy and do have a voice, but you must rally yourselves and your friends and make it happen.

I disagree with you on "the older generation usually attend, it always gets voted down" I would consider myself in that generation (baby boomer) and I wholeheartedly approve of them. I think it should be a ballot vote not at town meeting as most folks cannot attend this therefore it lends itself only to the select few groups that want something passed or not.
I for one am out of town on this day and cannot attend, I would vote in the affirmative.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: David Shea on July 05, 2009, 01:20:35 PM: I agree with Mrs. Morin. I personally think that all request for funding should be ballot items. The discussion for funding can take place on Town Meeting, but the vote should be done in the privacy of the voting booth.

Dave
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Cat on July 05, 2009, 01:25:24 PM: Ballot voting is a great idea.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 05, 2009, 03:31:02 PM: Ok Ballot voting it is... So how do we get an item on the ballot?.... It has to be approved at town meeting first doesn't it. I would like to know because I am willing to lead the momentun, but an ignorant of the process.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Carolyn Branagan on July 05, 2009, 05:12:14 PM: To have an item voted at Town Meeting you can:
#1 get the Selectboard to agree to put it on the ballot along with the other things they want the voters to consider.The Selectboard has the power to place a item up for vote either during the meeting or on the Australian ballot.
#2 get a petition signed by 5% of the voters and then the item will have to be placed on the ballot.If the petition specifies secret ballot then it will have to be on the Australian ballot. The Town Clerk can tell you exactly how many signatures make 5%, but it is around 250.
This will have to be done by at least January 15 or so in order to be printed in the Warning.

Rep. Carolyn Branagan
Franklin-1, Fairfax/Georgia
Vermont House of Representatives
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: mirjo on July 05, 2009, 08:38:37 PM: Well Cat, I guess you have some petitions to put together to get out in the stores while the issue is still hot in peoples minds!! Then we can all sign it!
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: dearon on July 05, 2009, 08:50:33 PM: I do believe I saw where edakrupp was willing to take the lead on this! Nice to have some new blood willing to lend a hand!
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: mirjo on July 05, 2009, 09:07:52 PM: My bad, it was EdaKrupp, not Cat leading the way. I didn't double check! Thanks for the info Carolyn it's possible things could be very different here in Fairfax next July 4th. :-)
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 06, 2009, 07:12:09 AM: Thank you M.Branagan for the correct avenues for the movement forward for this item. I will call the town clerk and find out how many signature, place the petitions around town, get the signatures and bring them to the select board. I will be going there tonight so when they open up public questions/input I will make my inquires then and inform them of what I plan to do, that way I will have both avenues covered. Hopefully they will agree to put it on the ballot with out the signatures. I hate to seem like I am going over peoples head, but the people have spoken.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Henry on July 06, 2009, 07:40:15 AM: Whether you are for or against something, voting by ballot at the polls is the best representation of the town voter's wishes. I have tried a number of times to get financial items put on the ballot, but so far have failed. I have never done it this way, but am behind it 100%.

At a normal town meeting between 75 and 125 voters make the decisions for a total of probably 2,500 voters in town - The town meeting we have is good for discussions of issues, but not for final decisions. I expressed this opinion back in March 1955 at our Fairfax Town Meeting when I had to take the day off without pay to attend. I had turned 21 the previous November and decided I was going to make a change for the better.

After I made the statement, a long time resident by the name of Mrs. Weir got up and put me in my place for making such a statement, whereas my height shrunk from 6 feet to about 6 inches tall. I will never forget that day.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 06, 2009, 02:55:25 PM: I have written up petitions and posted them at Minors, Country pantry, Foot Hills bakery, J&L Hardware, and soon Swansons, Nan's and the hair dressers. I will also be going on foot around to places to introduce myslef and present the petition personally. If anyone knows of a place or a function that there will be a large attendance, I would appreciate it if you tear off a blank sheet, xerox it and pass it around. Or you can contact me and I will be happy to mail it out to you. The listor at this point in time said our population is 3,057 and 5% of that gives us 153. Easy peasy. After i get the signatures I'll file it away and presnt it to the Town off in January so it wont get mis placed in the interm.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: trussell on July 06, 2009, 03:56:55 PM: Elizabeth,

If you want to email me the petition, I will put a copy out on our table at the Art In Bloom Festival (July 24 @ Swanson's).

Thanks,
Trevor

russelltrevor@hotmail.com
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 06, 2009, 08:42:59 PM: I will be happy to do that. Thank you. There may be a glitch however.

I just got back from the Select Board Meeting and announced what I was doing, and a member thought that Carol Branagan may be mistaken. There may need to be a preliminary acceptance of the movement at The Town Meeting prior to the Australian ballot vote. This usually takes place on the Sunday or Saturday prior to voting day in March (Town Meeting). I'll keep everyone up dated and will also contact Deb Markowitz office to confirm the necessary routes need to be taken to get a public request on an Australian ballot.

For those of you who may be wondering, an Australian ballot is just a fancy way of saying a traditional paper and pen ballot that is slipped into the box for elections as we know them.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: trussell on July 06, 2009, 09:32:33 PM: I believe that anyone can get anything on the ballot as long as it's signed by the correct percentage of registered voters. From what I remember (when I was pushing for a full-time Constable position to be created) the only stipulation is that the petition be submitted by a certain date, which I believe is sometime in January. Thanks for taking the lead on this!
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Henry on July 06, 2009, 09:43:29 PM: I believe the petition gets it on the warning as an article for Town Meeting, however, to actually get it on the ballot to be voted on at the polls, that is the tricky part. I believe that in Town Meeting, you vote there to put it on the ballot for the following year. I am sure Deb Markowitz can clarify the thing. I am sure that Donna Meunier can set us straight if she happens to read this lengthy thread.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: Wormerod on July 07, 2009, 05:09:17 AM: Elizabeth,

Here is information from the Secretary of State's website that mentions the process of consideration of an article by Australian ballot.

"In order for an article to be placed on an Australian ballot, the electorate in your town must have already voted to decide either the election of officers by Australian ballot, all budget or money articles by Australian ballot, or all public questions, or a specific public question by Australian ballot. You cannot request that an article be considered by Australian ballot for the first time in a petition requesting that article to be placed on the warning. There must have been a prior vote by the electorate approving the use of Australian ballots for that category of articles, or you must first petition for a vote to decide the question by Australian ballot at one meeting, and then petition for the actual article that you want to have decided by Australian ballot at a subsequent meeting."

This information was taken from the following link:

http://www.vermont-elections.org/elections1/tmarticlepetition.html (http://www.vermont-elections.org/elections1/tmarticlepetition.html)

Good luck with the petition

Bill
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 07, 2009, 07:11:01 AM: So petition to get the vote on the floor of Town Meeting Day, which is how the petition was written, then vote on it on the floor at Town Meeting by yea or nays, then put it on the Australian Ballot for the next day, Voting day, correct? If so the petition stands as is and I will plow ahead.

Just in case, can anyone hold a legal public meeting on a specific topic to get the electroate in the town to vote on a common intrest item? Thus approving the use of the Australian Ballot to be the tool to finalize a vote? this way it doesn't have to go to town meeting? Or.....

Is there anyway we can get the Select Board to use their elected power to agree that this is something that the town needs, benefits all and is much safer for the public than setting off back yard fireworks, in which could endanger the population by drunken mishaps and faulty fireworks?
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: mxdave on July 07, 2009, 11:43:32 AM: The other thing you will need to have is a dollar amount you want to get from the town to put on a show. If you are hiring a company such as Northstar Fireworks it will cost you allot more than $5000. to put on a show. You also need a place to shoot the Fireworks that the Select Board will feel is safe and accessible to the Fire Dept. and Ambulance crew in case of an emergency. My suggestion would be to reestablish the Fairfax Firework Committee and plan ahead for next year before you put anything on a ballot.
Dave Yergeau
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 07, 2009, 12:39:09 PM: That's a great idea. Once the Board and town accepts 'Budgeted Town Fireworks', they can reestablish the group to help them facilitate the event.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: mxdave on July 07, 2009, 12:53:54 PM: They won't reestablish the group, The fireworks committee was a group of people trying to do what you are doing now. Trust me you can not do this alone. If you want to head up a group ask for volunteers and reestablish a committee that is the best way to get started. I don't think you can get approval for a budget line item without knowing how much you will be looking for.
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: slpott on July 07, 2009, 02:04:58 PM: I would like to offer the idea of a booth at "Art in Bloom" Festival. It is a wonderful community event and would be a great place to get started. It is also a fund raiser for the Fire and Rescue Departments. It being a community event, I would assume it would give you the opportunity to meet the people of our town and ask questions. It is July 25th from 9-4. Lots of great art, live music and wonderful food. I would also like to invite the whole town to come and take advantage of a lot of fun close to home. Please show your support. It is the only way to keep things going. So bring a lawn chair and plan on spending the day. It is very child friendly. See you soon, Shelly
Title: Re: Fairfax fireworks location?
Post by: edakrupp on July 07, 2009, 03:34:05 PM: I would love to attend, however we are gone to Cape Cod for that week. Someone else will have to represent our efforts.