Eyhg Super fun holiday Rube Goldberg machine is a Christmas miracle Expect fewer booms this July Fourth because of financial busts in some cities and towns.As many folks pack up picnics and head to see the fireworks this <a href=https://www.stanley-cups.uk>stanley mug</a> holiday weekend, the skies over a couple-dozen cash-strapped communities will be missing the spectacular crackle of color that Americans associate with the nation s birthday.Blame the economy.Cities and towns including Antioch, Calif.; Louisville, Colo.; Akron, Ohio; Stamford, Conn.; and Jersey City, N.J., were forced to pull the plug on their local fireworks shows because of tight budgets.In Antioch, Mayor James Davis said it was a tough call to cancel the c <a href=https://www.stanley-cups.uk>stanley quencher</a> ity s nearly $80,000 fireworks show and festivities. It s a celebration he and his wife brought back to the area 15 years ago. But even more difficult, he says, is laying off 18 people this year. You get to know a lot of these employees on a one-to-one basis, said Davis. How can we spend money on the fireworks when we re making these cutbacks It is the same story in Clayton, N.C., where Mayor Jody McLeod says he can t remember a year the town of 16,000 didn t have fireworks - until this year. Clayton is facing layoffs and spending $30,000 for fireworks just didn t seem right. It s devastating, said the mayor. But because of the economy, this is just what the town has to do. McLeod |