Plain Dealer file"I felt compelled to save the fireworks because the Fourth of July is an American holiday," says Cleveland City Councilman Joe Santiago. "It would be a great loss."

The biggest fireworks display in Northeast Ohio will go forward this July Fourth despite budget problems, organizers said Tuesday.

Some cities have eliminated or scaled back their fireworks displays to save money. Cleveland's annual Independence Day show was about to be canceled due to a lack of money, said Tom Newman, executive director of the Flats Oxbow Association, which runs the show.

The stumbling block was $35,000 that Cuyahoga County could not provide due to its own deficit, Newman said. But the show was saved when Councilman Joe Santiago pledged $30,000 in taxpayer money from his discretionary fund.

"I felt compelled to save the fireworks because the Fourth of July is an American holiday," Santiago said. "It would be a great loss."

More cities are scrapping or reducing their summer displays as they deal with declining revenue.
 

Euclid canceled its long-running show due to the rising cost of fireworks. Parma and Elyria eliminated their shows.

Mentor slashed the budget for its fireworks show by 20 percent and is still looking for sponsors, said Paul Hegreness, who is in charge of Mentor's recreation department.

American Fireworks Co. in Hudson provides fireworks for more than 100 cities, but about 10 of them have eliminated their July Fourth displays because of increased prices and tight budgets, company owner Roberto Sorgi said.

"It's been a difficult year," he said. "Sales are up this year. That's because we're very aggressive."

Other big displays, including Akron, Solon and Shaker Heights, will go forward as planned.

Cleveland's program costs up to $100,000 for fireworks, insurance and advertising, Newman said. FirstEnergy Corp. is the primary sponsor and Cleveland provides an additional $50,000 in the form of police protection, portable toilets and other services.

Santiago said the money is well spent.

"We've got to keep our city in a positive light," he said.