The Culver Town Council members discussed a special event permit submitted by the Culver Chamber of Commerce concerning a proposed fireworks show on July 4.
The show is expected to take place over Lake Maxinkuckee for the residents of Culver.
Members of the Culver Chamber of Commerce explained that they completed an application for a permit for the fireworks with the DNR. DNR officials are reviewing that permit for consideration. Chamber representatives said they wanted to host something positive for the residents of Culver after experiencing the effects of the coronavirus. They see it as a morale-boosting event.
The special event permit submitted to the Culver Town Council was in case there would be a large presence at the Town Park. Police officers would be there to patrol for traffic, and to conduct law enforcement duties for safety, similar to coverage during the Lake Fest.
Several residents spoke out in favor of the event voicing excitement about fireworks while other residents commented on the risk of spreading COVID-19 in a county where positive case numbers keep increasing. The Lake Fest was canceled for public health safety concerns.
Councilman Bill Clevenger commented that he’d like to see the Chamber representatives move the event to the end of summer, but they are concrete on the Fourth of July date. The same sentiments were echoed by Councilman Bill Githens. Security was also a concern by council members, but it would be covered by the special event permit.
After about a 90-minute conversation on the single topic, Councilwoman Sally Riccardi made a motion to approve the permit which died for lack of a second. Councilman Bill Clevenger made a motion to deny the permit with a second from Bill Githens. Bill Clevenger, Bill Githens and Rich West noted in favor to deny the permit and Ginny Bess Munroe and Sally Riccardi voted against the motion.
The council members later voted unanimously to support emergency services at the Culver Town Park in case there happens to be a large amount of people there. Attendees are encouraged to observe social distancing and there will be authority to that recommendation at the park.
