City agrees to chip in extra $10,000 to help cover cost of Rotary fireworks show
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

FILE PHOTO BIG SHOW COSTS BIG BUCKS- A spectator views last year's 37th annual Rotary Club of Simi Valley Fireworks Spectacular at Santa Susana Community Park.

The city of Simi Valley will be contributing $20,000 to the local Rotary Club to help offset the costs of this year's 38th annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Rancho Santa Susana Park.

In recent years, the City Council and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District have each contributed $10,000 to help put on the event.

Because of rising costs, the Rotary Club of Simi Valley asked the two agencies for an additional $10,000 each to cover the event's $40,000 pyrotechnics bill.

Dan Paranick, assistant city manager, said a subcommittee of the City Council made the decision earlier this week and the additional money has been worked into the city's budget.

"The committee members were swayed by the importance of the event to the community," Paranick said. "They recognized the increasing costs and decided to put in the extra $10,000."

Scott Santino, president of the Simi Valley Noontime Rotary Club, said they are still committed to covering the rest of the costs associated with the event- which adds up to an additional $60,000.

"We do this show as a fundraiser," Santino said. "The bulk of the money raised goes back to the community, in supporting organizations like the Boys & Girls Club or the Samaritan Center.

"In the last couple of years, we have not been able to make much money because it's such a large project. Basically, this project isn't sustainable for long-term if we can't make the money to do the work of the Rotary- which is to give it back," he said.

Two years ago, the Simi Valley Rotary Club moved the event out of its original location at Simi Valley High School due to safety reasons. The move has caused an increase in costs, because of additional expenses related to temporary entertainment staging and vendor booths.

Last week, club officers met with members of an ad hoc committee- including representatives from the City Council and the park district- to make their request. Committee members agreed to take the issue back to their respective agencies to make a final decision.

The park district discussed the issue during a meeting Thursday night.