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Adelanto council and residents clash over who should run Fourth of July fireworks booths
Summary
A heated May 28 council meeting focused on whether nonprofits awarded temporary fireworks stands are serving Adelanto residents; council signaled it will tighten eligibility rules after public complaints about past winners and spending transparency. A smaller donation to a stadium July 4 event was approved amid the debate.
Adelanto — The City Council on May 28 extended a lengthy public hearing about which local nonprofits should be allowed to operate the city’s limited, temporary Fourth of July fireworks stands, with officials and residents sharply divided over accountability and who benefits from the proceeds.
Council discussion followed a staff report identifying 11 applicants that met the minimal eligibility criteria under Adelanto Municipal Code Chapter 9 §65. Staff noted that Ordinance 649, adopted March 13, 2024, removed prior obligations requiring booth operators to participate in Adopt-a-Street and community cleanup days, a change several councilmembers said reduced the city’s ability to hold groups accountable.
Why it matters: Fireworks-week booth receipts are a major fundraiser for many local nonprofits and youth sports teams. Critics at the meeting said past recipients sometimes failed to spend proceeds in Adelanto or to demonstrate ongoing…
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