June 2008 -Discussions about moving the fireworks started in a meeting in my office with an ACA representative. We agreed that the festival had outgrown Valley Park. We agreed that the proximity to houses prevented an enhanced aerial burst display and forced the ACA to use smaller cannons, and that the wind could cause the cancellation of the fireworks. We agreed that the parking was woefully inadequate. We agreed that the traffic off of the Linc onto Mud Street is much higher than in the earlier years. Finally, we agreed that Confederation Park would be a better location. To that end and to assist with the transition, I committed to getting additional funding from the city and to get someone to assist with corporate sponsorships.

Oct 2008 –Having had numerous discussions with Conservation Authority staff over the summer, we met with the ACA representatives. We discussed a number of issues including costs, parking, location of the fireworks and the amusement park rides. We decided that a pyrotechnics expert should look at the park and give us their opinion. We also agreed that a barge would be the perfect launch off the lake.

November 2008 -I met with HCA staff and was advised that the barge was a problem because of the difficulty in securing it during a storm. I was advised that the pyrotechnics expert believed that a launch from the beach trail area would provide the perfect platform for an enhanced aerial display with much larger cannons. I was also advised that because the park was gated we would have better control of access and if there was a patron causing trouble, the police could remove them from the park.

November 2008 -Trevor Pettit, Liberty Energy, agreed to assist in our fundraising efforts.

January 2009 -I received a phone call from the ACA representative who told us that the Midway Company did not want to move to Confederation Park. I spoke with the midway owner and was advised that he was new to the show and had just signed a contract with the ACA for Valley Park. He stressed that he did not sign a contract for Confederation Park. I spoke to the ACA rep and expressed my discontent with the signing of a contract for Valley Park without any notice to the city especially in light of our recent discussions.

March 2009 -I indicated to the ACA that the fireworks could proceed this year but I made it clear that this was the last year. I also indicated that we were going to secure a grant for $15,000 from the city for the ACA. A notice of notion was filed with the city and deferred to the grant committee. The ACA was advised of the motion. The grant committee approved the $15,000 request. Council approved the motion which included a clause that indicated that the fireworks would be moving to a new venue in 2010.

I am frustrated that the ACA would now accuse me or the city of being “unreasonable” when these discussions started a year ago with their full involvement. There was a verbal agreement and we were working towards the change in venue right up until the ACA signed a contract without notice to the city. Regardless, I lived up to my agreement and secured a $15,000 grant for the show.

It is my job to balance all of the community’s interests and concerns. Clearly, there is no solution for parking at Valley Park and traffic issues will continue to worsen with time. It is also obvious that high aerial burst cannons will never be permitted in such proximity to homes; Confederation Park has the space to accommodate the parking and a significant change in the type of fireworks. Further, with the addition of a bus on Centennial Parkway this fall we will be able to extend the run to provide transit service for the show. In the end, Confederation Park is an excellent venue for this show and I sincerely hope that the ACA reconsiders their position and continues their tradition of organizing this event.

Brad Clark Councillor Ward 9