The Timeshare Beat: 'Mob scene,' fireworks at Boardwalk concerns city

'Mob scene,' fireworks at Boardwalk concerns city

By JOHN BOZZO
Staff Writer - Daytona Beach News-Journal
Thursday, July 06, 2000

DAYTONA BEACH - Personal fireworks created a dangerous situation on July Fourth at the Boardwalk and on the beach, city commissioners said Wednesday.

On another matter, the City Commission postponed action on a plan to declare a beachside tourist area blighted and in need of redevelopment.

Discussion of the holiday fireworks exploded during commission comments at the end of Wednesday's meeting.

"It was a mob scene," said Commissioner Darlene Yordon, who recalled people shooting fireworks on the Boardwalk and from the tops of nearby buildings.

Commissioner George Burden said his family left the Boardwalk because they felt uncomfortable about the use of personal fireworks. "I think the city's on notice that we have to have a sizable police presence for the holiday."

The scene on the beach was similar, according to City Commissioner Christina Travis. "The Beach Patrol was telling people to go ahead and shoot their fireworks as long as they cleaned up afterwards," Travis said. "Fireworks were going off in front and in back of people in the dark."

Beach Patrol Deputy Chief Joe Wooden acknowledged in a telephone interview late Wednesday that the use of personal fireworks got out of hand Tuesday.

"We tried to control it, but we got to a point where we were no longer able to control it," Wooden said. "There were literally thousands of people shooting fireworks."

Wooden said Beach Patrol officers tried to make safety a priority and directed enforcement at preventing people from shooting fireworks at other people.

City Manager Carey Smith said divided enforcement has caused problems, with Volusia County responsible for the beach and Daytona Beach governing the upland area.

"We've got a real job down there," Smith said. "It's been permitted. It's been a permissive situation with the fireworks. I think it's a hazardous situation."

Smith said he intends to discuss the issue with Police Chief Kenneth Small and Volusia County officials.

Meanwhile, a vote to declare an area of South Atlantic Avenue blighted should return at the commission's July 17 meeting. The designation as blighted is a requirement to form a redevelopment area.

Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club International requested formation of a redevelopment district with a proposal in June to build a $55 million, 250-unit, time-shared resort.

Development Services Director Peter Aluotto asked commissioners to allow him more time to review a blight study received late Monday.

"We didn't have a chance to go through it point-by-point to make sure it meets all the criteria," Aluotto said. "I'm sure there will be a finding of blight. It's just a mater of making sure all the bases are covered."

The area targeted as blighted runs along South Atlantic Avenue from East International Speedway Boulevard to just south of Silver Beach Avenue.

In other action Wednesday, the commission:

- Agreed on a 6-0 vote to allow managers of the two 18-hole Municipal Golf Courses on Wilder Boulevard flexibility to lower greens fees in the slow summer months. Rates for play at the courses were previously set by city ordinance that require at least a month and two commission votes to change. The city's Municipal Golf Course Advisory Board developed the recommendation after a February report showing a $370,000 deficit that could increase to $450,000. Other proposals to revamp greens fees and cart rental policies are expected later this summer.

- Approved temporary overnight parking of automobiles and recreational vehicles during special events on industrial-zoned property on a 5-1 vote, subject to conditions to ensure health and safety concerns. Travis opposed the action and called for development instead of a full-scale recreational vehicle park on the western edge of Daytona Beach.

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