Sparks Flying Over Newport Ban on July 4 Fireworks

With the Fourth of July just three weeks away, Newport Beach is in an uproar over the City Council’s decision to ban two annual fireworks shows.

One resident calls it “un-American.” Another says it is like canceling Christmas. The city contends that it is necessary because traffic has simply gotten out of hand. Either way, the issue has many residents fuming.

“Almost every city from New York to Pismo Beach has fireworks . . . your reasoning is about as logical as canceling Christmas shopping because the parking lots get too full,” the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce said in a June 8 letter to the City Council.

The chamber, usually the city’s biggest supporter, said the decision was “rash and capricious” and joined the growing list of residents and organizations which urged the City Council to reconsider its decision.

‘Just Isn’t Worth It’

The council met Monday to reconsider its May 23 decision, which prohibited firework displays at two locations, the Newport Dunes Aquatic Park and Big Canyon Country Club. Traffic was cited as one of the primary reasons.

City Councilwoman Ruthelyn Plummer, who pushed for the prohibition, said that traffic snarls on Balboa Island, along the Coast Highway and on San Joaquin Hills Road made the displays too bothersome.

“It just isn’t worth it,” she said, reading from a Police Department recommendation favoring the ban.

Thousands of visitors literally block Jamboree Road and Coast Highway each July 4 by parking three abreast to watch the traditional event, police said.

The City Council’s decision prompted criticism of the action by many residents, business leaders and civic groups.

In an interview before the City Council meeting, Charles Yates, general manager for the Dunes aquatic park, said he agreed that the displays create a monumental traffic jam with hundreds of motorists stopping to gawk at the pyrotechnic display.

“But traffic gets like that for any event, even for the city’s annual Boat Parade,” Yates said.

The Dunes aquatic park has held major fireworks displays for the public since 1959. They have become so popular that they attract about 5,000 visitors. Surrounding residents and organizations schedule July 4 events with the fireworks display in mind.

“Every year we have a July 4 afternoon barbecue and afterwards we watch the fireworks show from our facility,” said Jim Deboom, director of the Costa Mesa-Newport Beach YMCA. “There’s no traffic problem here and no congestion. It’s just good family fun.”

Yates said that last January he signed a contract “in excess of $10,000” with a pyrotechnics company in San Diego to produce the July 4 show this year. Yates said the park charges $2 for adults and $1 for children--its regular daily admission--to view the display.

Big Canyon’s pyrotechnic display has been a favorite among members and surrounding residents for the last 17 years, said Cheryl Clipper, a club spokeswoman.

“We’re on private grounds, and we don’t feel the traffic problem is due to our members,” Clipper said.

But police have a different view.

“The problem is that with our resources, we are not able to handle the problems. That’s why we’ve recommended denial for the last 10 years,” said Lt. Timothy Newman.

Newman said that last year’s celebration attracted viewers from throughout Southern California.

“We had every officer working, on 12-hour shifts, and all vacations canceled. Everybody walking is working,” he said.