Politics & Government

After City Cuts Fireworks Fund, Businesses Step Up

San Diego Gas & Electric has already donated $16,000 for next year's community fireworks show. San Juan Capistrano city staffers now look to other merchants and organizations.

With the city halfway toward its fundraising goal for next year's , local businesses and organizations will soon be asked to open their checkbooks.

On Monday night, San Juan Capistrano's community services manager,  Cynthia Alexander, asked Parks, Recreation and Senior Services commissioners to help as staffers gear up for "a push for sponsors."

"A really big event for this town," the , with officials saying San Juan Capistrano is not in a good enough financial position to have taxpayers shell out $32,000 for the holiday event.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fundraising began immediately, with San Diego Gas & Electric pitching in $16,000 and the citizens' donating $1,500.

With the event "this far away, I don't see why we shouldn't be able to" raise the $32,000, said Commissioner Steve Behmerwohld.

Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now commissioners and city staffers will turn to the auto dealerships and other local businesses to give money. In exchange, merchants will see their names plastered on promotional materials and will also get free vendor booths at the event.

"If everyone chipped in a buck, we'd have it made," Commissioner Ronald Denman said of the more than 35,000 residents of San Juan Capistrano.

Despite Denman's comment, don't expect officials carrying coffee tins to come knocking on neighborhood doors—the commission decided that tack wouldn't be well received.


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