Commissioners are trying to decide whether the city appeared too cozy with a church by teaming with it to present Fourth of July fireworks in Central Park.
By SHANNON TAN
Published August 16, 2004
LARGO - This year's Fourth of July fireworks at Largo Central Park, co-sponsored by First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, drew more than 20,000 people.
Some thought it was a city event. Others thought it was a church event.
Should there be a separation of church and state when it comes to city events?
"There was a great deal of discussion and not everyone on the commission was supportive in how that event played out," said Joan Byrne, Recreation, Parks and Arts director. "I'm looking for direction as to what the commission sees as appropriate."
The city staff proposed revising Largo Central Park's rental and co-sponsorship policy to exclude co-sponsoring events "of a political, commercial or religious nature." Under the revised policy, key national holiday events would be designated as city events only.
But officials on Tuesday could not agree on what, if any, changes should be made.
Last year, city officials cut $21,000 for fireworks from the budget while trying to lower the property tax rate hike. They were making a hard decision whether to buy fireworks for the Fourth of July or for the city's Centennial celebration, Commissioner Gay Gentry said.
First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks wants to co-sponsor the fireworks again next year.
"We should be sending those people a letter of congratulations," Commissioner Charlie Harper said. "Now it appears we're trying to slap them in the face."
Harper said it was "mysterious" as to how the revised policy ended up on the agenda a month after the Fourth of July fireworks.
He said the event was not a religious ceremony. U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young spoke, while a Christian rock band played and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church held a barbecue, he said.
City Manager Steven Stanton said, "There's no hidden agenda."
If churches are allowed to hold public events, Stanton said, the city needs to make sure that it doesn't appear that Largo has a special relationship with one church.
"We in the public sector have to be extremely careful," Gentry said. "... As an elected official, I must remember there is a separation of church and state but there isn't a separation of church and God."
Gentry and Commissioner Pat Gerard said they supported having a co-sponsorship policy.
"If we don't have some control over what happens, I think we're making a mistake," Gerard said.
Also on Tuesday, officials welcomed the idea of a three-day outdoor music festival planned for next year.
The festival, possibly headlined by baby boomer acts like the Pointer Sisters, Canned Heat and Lovin' Spoonful, would be held April 22 to 24 on the former Renaissance Festival grounds near the site where the new public library is being constructed.
Largo Cultural Center manager Colin Bissett suggested renaming the site Festival Park or Festival Oaks.
Gentry suggested Renaissance Woods. Commissioner Harriet Crozier liked the name "Festival of Oaks in Largo." Harper proposed "Festival Pavilion" instead.
Commissioner Pat Burke asked organizers to be sensitive to residents near the park when planning the event.
The event would cost about $80,000, and bring in an anticipated revenue of $90,000. Tickets would go for $5 to $15.
Officials also approved sending out a request for proposal for a consultant to conduct a $30,000 study of the old library building. The 36,000-square-foot building will be vacated when the new library opens in June 2005.
The consultant would meet with groups such as the Senior Advisory Board, which supports moving programs from the Community Center in downtown Largo to the old library building, before identifying possible uses for the building.
