Batavia fireworks pledge drive coming up short

Do Batavians really want a Fourth of July fireworks show?

Judging by the response to an Internet campaign to raise money for future shows, maybe not, a frustrated show Chairman Roger Breisch said Monday.

Two weeks ago the Batavia Action Committee on Community, Environment and Social Sciences' fireworks committee started a Facebook page and e-mail marketing called "5-5-5" to spur donations. People were encouraged to take five minutes to send e-mails to five people, with directions on how to donate $5. This year's show is expected to cost $30,000.

"Despite the dire warning" on television and newspaper reports about the committee's finances, more than 1,000 e-mails being sent and 500 fliers distributed around town, only 50 people visited the Web site to donate money, Breisch told the Batavia City Council Monday.

This year's show is safe, he said, being paid for with money collected in previous years. The committee tries to keep about one show's worth of money in reserve, but dipped in to it for $7,000 last year and expects to need $10,000 this year.

"It (the reserve) is not an unlimited pot of gold," he said. Breisch declined to say exactly how much is in reserve.

"It really does leave me wondering whether the community wants fireworks in the future," Breisch said.

The Web site for donating money is bataviafireworks.org. People can also sign up there to participate in the Batavia Citywide Garage Sale May 8 and 9. The registration fees go to the fireworks fund.