No parade, no fireworks; Wheeling staying quiet for the Fourth

Is no parade better than a bad parade?

Wheeling officials will find out on Monday. After getting some flak for last year's scaled back "hometown parade" - which had not a single marching band - Wheeling decided not to hold a parade or set off fireworks this year.

Village President Judy Abruscato said people were expecting a big parade last year and were disappointed with the smaller version.

"What people don't realize is that one of those bands cost something like $8,000," said Abruscato. "We can't make everyone happy. Trust me, this breaks my heart - not having a parade or fireworks. I'm going to be home on the Fourth of July for the first time in 33 years."

In years past, the village has spent up to $175,000 on Fourth of July festivities. But because of budget constraints, the village spent only $35,000 on their fireworks display last summer.

This year, they scrapped everything, cutting both the parade and fireworks.

On Tuesday, the village send out a statement reminding residents that the village "will not be hosting any special events this year in observance of Independence Day."

"We don't want people to be further disappointed if they show up and there is no parade and no fireworks," said Village Manager Jon Sfondilis. "We look forward to getting back into this in upcoming years, but with this year's budget, we couldn't make it happen."

The 2010 Wheeling budget represents a 23 percent decrease in expenditures from 2009. The board also spent $441,400 on severance packages to 15 longtime employees, eliminated holiday lighting and deferred some street improvements.

Abruscato promises the parade and fireworks will be back. She can't promise they'll return next year, but at some point, they will return.

"I tell people, try to look on the good side, it's a wonderful thing that our employees can finally be home their families on the Fourth this year," said Abruscato, adding that many public works employees and police officers work overtime to make the parade and fireworks happen.