SALEM - To all the businesses, organizations and individuals who contributed to the cost of the Salem city fireworks display which lit up the skies Tuesday night, Mayor John Berlin said thank you.
Berlin issued a press release naming all of the contributors who financially supported the fireworks for the enjoyment of the entire community. He also offered thanks to the Salem Perry Township Crime Watch group for sponsoring the pre-fireworks activities at Waterworth Memorial Park for a fun family day.
"This is for the whole community," he said.
For the past three years, the city has been soliciting donations to cover the cost of a Fourth of July fireworks display after the group which used to sponsor the event couldn't do it anymore. Berlin continued the tradition started by former Mayor Jerry Wolford of sending out letters to past donors and also sent some to businesses in an effort to get some new donors.
The cost of the fireworks put on by Pyrotechnico Fireworks Company of New Castle, Pa., was $8,000, but the donations totaled more than that, leaving $819 carryover for next year's show.
Berlin said the willingness of the donors to contribute to a community-based event like this is a fine statement about the city of Salem and its citizens, organizations and businesses. A sign listing all the donors will be placed in front of city hall and thank-you cards will be sent out to all the donors.
Berlin said he appreciated all the repeat donors for all the years they've contributed and hoped the number of new donors continued to grow. He also thanked Pyrotechnico for its fireworks display.
Fireworks display sponsors included: Bob and Linda Sebo, Salem Community Foundation, Salem Community Hospital, Salem AMVETS Post 45, Salem City Council, Barclay Machine, Quaker Manufacturing, Rotary of Salem Ohio, Mac Trailer Manufacturing, Morris Financial, Lyle Printing, Salem Slovak Club, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant, Howells & Baird Inc., Church Budget, Salem Computer Center, Lou and Amanda Raymond, Gordon Brothers, Huntington Insurance, Allied Waste, Huntington National Bank, Butech Inc., Salem Fire Fighters Local 283, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, McGarvey Heating, Stark Memorial and city Auditor Betty Brothers.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreier@salemnews.net
