Fireworks to be held as scheduled

While festivals and fairs are being canceled across the state due to the coronavirus, Belgium’s annual fireworks show will go on as scheduled at Heritage Park on Friday, June 26.

The Belgium Village Board on Monday approved holding the show, 6-1.

Board President Pete Anzia said the fireworks are visible from across the village, making it safe to watch from home.

“I can see them right from my backyard. I don’t have to be in that park to watch them,” he said.

“But,” Trustee Don Gotcher said, “there are lots of people that go there.”

Gotcher cast the dissenting vote.

“A lot of people will be in their cars too,” Trustee Clem Gottsacker said.

Anzia said if people want to go to the park it’s their choice, but Gotcher spoke against holding the show.

“It’s their choice because we’re having it. If we don’t have it, they don’t have to make a choice,” he said.

“If everybody here wants to go ahead and put people in harm’s way, that’s fine with me.”

“That’s your opinion,” Trustee Josh Borden said. “It just sounds bad.”

“Because it could be bad,” Gotcher said.

Anzia asked Public Works Director Dan Birenbaum if all donations were secured for the show.

Birenbaum said one donor was waiting to see if the show would be held.

The discussion and vote came immediate after the board unanimously approved adding an addendum to its park user agreement that releases the village from liability in case anyone at the park catches the coronavirus.

“I think people think just because the state is open it’s just fine. I haven’t seen a lot of social distancing going to stores and things like that. I haven’t seen a lot of people wearing masks. I do, as a matter of fact, I have one here right now,” Gotcher said. He wasn’t wearing a mask.

“I worry about large, large gatherings — people coming from out of the area to go to things because it only takes one person to infect a lot of people.”

Borden said the Cedar Grove Belgium Athletic Association approved a similar addendum on the advice of its insurance company.

Other village facilities have reopened. Village Hall has Plexiglass in front of the front desk, and Clerk Julie Lesar said just a few people have come in. Many, she said, have learned to do business online.

The splash pad and bathrooms at the park have reopened.