Emporians spend July 4th under dark sky
8:35 p.m. Friday, July 4, 2008
In Emporia, you'll see flags flying, and if you listen closely, you'll hear church bells, but you won't hear fireworks this Fourth of July. This year it just wasn't in the budget.
Darren Carter has lived in Emporia for 35 years, and this is the first time he can remember not having fireworks on the Fourth.
But this year, because of budget cuts, Darren and his wife, Wendy, spent the Fourth without a bang.
"We're having to be a bit more creative this year," Wendy said. "Since the weather's really nice and we have an opportunity to be at the pool, we decided to at least devote some time to the pool today."
Since Tyson laid off more than 1,000 workers, Emporia's economy has been sliding down.
"The hope was that there would be a private organization would step up and much like they did last year and in past years," Mayor Bobbie Agler said.
But that didn't happen, so instead of bang some in Emporia celebrated with a splash, but not everyone liked it.
"Actually I think it kind of sucks," Aaron Schoppear said.
"I guess it is a sign of the times," Wendy said. "I hope it's a sign that quickly goes away, and things change and kind of gets back to the way things used to be."
But with or without fireworks, in their own special way, Emporians knit together the fabric of their community to celebrate.
Agler says he seriously doubts the city will be able to fund a fireworks display next year either.
Coming soon, local, young television talent will shine on 49 News Kidcasts. Check back to see local kids, 4th through 8th grade, give the weather on TV.
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