JOHN COFFELTEditor

According to the Recreation Department firework displays cost about $1,000 per minute.

Historically, the city’s Independence Day firework display costs $15,000, but the most recent bids that were reviewed the Finance Committee at the Nov. 21 meeting came in right at $20,000 for the same number of shots as last year’s show.

Chairman of Finance Joey Hobbs suggested that the Tourism Commission might be able to contribute and offset the additional cost and expand the display.

“People come here not just from Manchester… Tourism probably has more money than (Rec. Department) has for it. I would support that. I serve on that committee,” Hobbs said.

“They do a lot of things to help bring people in. Maybe they could help us with the difference in your budget?” Hobbs suggested.

Vice Mayor Mark Mesick originally suggested expanding the firework show, and Hobbs agreed, suggesting that tourism could contribute $10,000.

Two companies submitted bids Impact Pyro and Pyro Shows, with the former submitting a bid that fell short with 672 shots instead of 726 that was in the RFP.

Pyro Shows bid is $20,000 for the first year, an increase of 1% over the rate of inflation not to exceed 5%. Impact Pyro gave verbal assurance not to increase the following year.

Director of Parks and Recreation AJ Fox said that traditionally, $7,500 comes out of one year’s budget, then the other half, comes from the following budget year, that starts July 1.

Pyro Shows has previously supplied the Rec. Department shells when a former staff member, Jason Weller, was certified to shoot them. For the last two years the city has contacted Impact Pyro for technicians and shells.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.