Apr 16, 2003 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Several local businessmen have offered to assist the city with funding the upcoming July 4th fireworks display. Geno Gallo, president of River’s Edge Family Campground Inc.; Randy and Linda Strickler, owners of CMS Outdoor Display Co.; Sam and Mary Livingston, owners of Fast Cash Consignment Shop; Louis Stern, co-owner of Burn’s Drug Store; and attorney Richard Bower have agreed to match each dollar the city garners for the event, up to a total of $1,750.

Gallo, in making the financial-assistance offer during a recent council meeting, said that he would additionally permit the display to be launched from his North First Street property that adjoins the Youghiogheny River.

“We’re very serious,” said Gallo, who is seeking one of the two available council seats in the upcoming primary election.

“We wanted to do something nice for the city.”

Gallo, the Stricklers and Livingstons have pending civil cases filed against the city, with Bower serving as their legal counsel in the separate matters.

The offer, meanwhile, has a stipulation that a local fireworks vendor be hired for the event.

Last year, the city sponsored the local celebration after New Haven Hose Volunteer Fire Co. declined to finance the display. Company officials said a shortage in its own budget would not allow for it to pay out the nearly $4,000 fee associated with the event.

Local civic groups and individuals donated approximately $5,200 to a special fund set up by council, with $1,700 remaining in reserve after $3,500 was paid to Schaefer Fireworks of Strasburg.

“If the city has $1,700 left over from last year and we’re willing to match it, there shouldn’t be a problem,” said Gallo.

Councilwoman Judy Keller, however, said that several fireworks vendors were contacted last year, with Schaefer’s offering the “best bang for the buck.”

“We were out to get the best price available,” said Keller, noting that arrangements for the display were made before contributions were collected by the city.

Council has preliminarily discussed holding a re-enactment of the crossing of the Youghiogheny River by George Washington in connection with the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War. Washington traveled through the area later called Connellsville after he was dispatched in 1753 to Fort Presque Isle near Lake Erie to warn the French to withdraw from the area.

John Truxal, treasurer for New Haven, said the company could assume the responsibility of the fireworks display if the city determines it no longer wants to oversee the event.

“We have seen and discussed Mr. Gallo’s offer,” said Truxal. “We have increased the number of fundraisers this year to meet our budgetary shortfalls and could take it over if the city doesn’t want to do it; we took it over when the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce didn’t want to do it.”

Gallo said the offer would be extended to New Haven or the chamber if the city declined to participate.

“We just want to make sure the (July 4th fireworks) are held,” he said.

Mayor Judy Reed said while she appreciates the offer made by the local businesses, the city is required to meet certain standards when contracting for services.

“I do not believe we can give this (contract) to a certain individual,” she said. “We have to abide by regulations and seek the best price.”

Reed said that she would be willing to offer a resolution to council to transfer the $1,700 surplus to the chamber or New Haven if they were willing to assume the responsibility and able to meet the criteria set by the donors.

“I, too, certainly want to see that the city tradition continues for the residents,” she said. “Maybe someone else could do the fireworks and we could oversee the re-enactment.”