City of Watkinsville would do better to show stronger leadership on 4th of July parade debacle
For those of you who have yet to digest the front page story of today's Oconee Enterprise newspaper, suffice to say I was shocked to read the City of Watkinsville will not take part in a 4th of July parade down Main Street as it is currently configured. Whether this will result in the municipality's complete lack of participation in the official holiday is anyone's guess at this point.
I will always defer to Chief Lee O'Dillon when it comes to matters of public safety, but now it has entered into the realm of public consumption and participation (otherwise known as politics), I would be taking a much different tact and direction to that of the current Mayor if the voters of this municipality had decided to hire me instead of my opponent.
The patriotic parade is now looking at marching around Veterans Park in a somewhat antiseptic plan lacking shade and sidewalks. I love the Oconee County Parks and Recretation Department, but I do not think this is the best place to have a parade.
Previous 4th of July celebrations in Watkinsville have always revolved around Eagle Tavern and the surrounding areas. Previous parades of homecoming and Christmas varieties have started on Barnett Shoals and turned left on Main Street. There is a very obvious solution to this dilemma that quite frankly speaks volumes to the detriment of the decision makers at all levels.
Chief O'Dillon insists his Department could not afford to work a full-on traffic nightmare on Main Street that would be a holiday parade at holiday pay rates. The affordable alternative would be to enlist volunteers including firefighters and National Guard, who have worked admirably for events including the Fall Festival and other big time activities that bring thousands of people here. Along with a cadre of volunteers, the route needs to be altered slightly to remain viable and workable for the anticipated military vehicles. I think this is one time where a weight limit would be wisely included.
Fine, simply re-route the parade to repeatedly cross Harden Hill Road/Simonton Bridge Road along First, Second and Third Streets avoiding Main Street all together. The staging of the parade could take place along First, or Thrasher, or even Wilson or into Morgan Manor Estates along Katie Lane and Jeremy Drive. I am reasonably certain residents will be happy to help out with this cooperative endeavor.
I think there remains enough good will and cooperation between the Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, between the Oconee County Sheriff's Department and the Watkinsville Police Department, between the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Depatment and the City of Watkinsville government to pull this off. You will obviously need the considerable help of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation and the Watkinsville Merchants Association or Trade and Tourism or whatever it is called these days to get this working. The fireworks should still be launched at Herman C. Michael or Oconee Veterans after dark. If there has been a fireworks display in Oconee County before, it has been done by private citizens at private celebrations to the best of my knowledge. Firework displays are very expensive and it is probably too late to book the big time shows.
You might even have to get the Enterprise, Banner-Herald and Leader to get along, at least for a while.
I will always defer to Chief Lee O'Dillon when it comes to matters of public safety, but now it has entered into the realm of public consumption and participation (otherwise known as politics), I would be taking a much different tact and direction to that of the current Mayor if the voters of this municipality had decided to hire me instead of my opponent.
The patriotic parade is now looking at marching around Veterans Park in a somewhat antiseptic plan lacking shade and sidewalks. I love the Oconee County Parks and Recretation Department, but I do not think this is the best place to have a parade.
Previous 4th of July celebrations in Watkinsville have always revolved around Eagle Tavern and the surrounding areas. Previous parades of homecoming and Christmas varieties have started on Barnett Shoals and turned left on Main Street. There is a very obvious solution to this dilemma that quite frankly speaks volumes to the detriment of the decision makers at all levels.
Chief O'Dillon insists his Department could not afford to work a full-on traffic nightmare on Main Street that would be a holiday parade at holiday pay rates. The affordable alternative would be to enlist volunteers including firefighters and National Guard, who have worked admirably for events including the Fall Festival and other big time activities that bring thousands of people here. Along with a cadre of volunteers, the route needs to be altered slightly to remain viable and workable for the anticipated military vehicles. I think this is one time where a weight limit would be wisely included.
Fine, simply re-route the parade to repeatedly cross Harden Hill Road/Simonton Bridge Road along First, Second and Third Streets avoiding Main Street all together. The staging of the parade could take place along First, or Thrasher, or even Wilson or into Morgan Manor Estates along Katie Lane and Jeremy Drive. I am reasonably certain residents will be happy to help out with this cooperative endeavor.
I think there remains enough good will and cooperation between the Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce, between the Oconee County Sheriff's Department and the Watkinsville Police Department, between the Oconee County Parks and Recreation Depatment and the City of Watkinsville government to pull this off. You will obviously need the considerable help of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation and the Watkinsville Merchants Association or Trade and Tourism or whatever it is called these days to get this working. The fireworks should still be launched at Herman C. Michael or Oconee Veterans after dark. If there has been a fireworks display in Oconee County before, it has been done by private citizens at private celebrations to the best of my knowledge. Firework displays are very expensive and it is probably too late to book the big time shows.
You might even have to get the Enterprise, Banner-Herald and Leader to get along, at least for a while.
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