Businesses Step In to Save Portland's Fireworks

LOCATION: Portland, Oregon, USA

DATE: 04/12/2010 04:40 PM ET  

BY: The Maine Public Broadcasting Network

 

DETAILS:

The popular event draws thousands to Portland's Munjoy Hill area each year.

Several Portland-area businesses have stepped up to help save Maine's largest city's popular Fourth of July fireworks event. The event was one of several cuts included in City Manager Joe Gray's budget, presented to the city council a week ago. In addition to eliminating the fireworks, the budget cuts 40 positions and hikes property taxes by 1.4 percent. To save the fireworks, five businesses, including Quirk Chevrolet, Wright Express, the Maine Red Claws and the Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram organized a fund-raising effort. The $45,000 they raised will help pay for the fireworks and the costs of staffing the event, according to WCSH-TV. The annual event draws thousands to Portland's Munjoy Hill area each year. Public hearings are scheduled on the city's $196 million budget in May before it's voted on by the city council.