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Adelanto council approves seven nonprofits for July fireworks booths after heated review
Summary
After extensive questioning about nonprofit capacity, public safety and a recusal, the Adelanto City Council approved seven nonprofit applicants for fireworks booths on June 10 and directed staff to hold a post‑holiday workshop to set clearer selection criteria.
The Adelanto City Council voted June 10 to award seven nonprofit groups the city’s fireworks booth locations for July 4 fundraising after an extended public review that exposed deep differences among council members about selection rules and safety concerns.
Councilmembers heard from each applicant and pressed for evidence of year‑round service, volunteer capacity and how proceeds would be used. Pastor Donald White and representatives of Adelanto Little League, the American Legion Post 229 and others described ongoing outreach, food distributions and youth programs they said the proceeds support.
The matter grew contentious when Councilwoman Evans, citing past online attacks involving her family, warned of legal consequences if a local activist “continues to involve my children in political disputes.” Evans recused herself earlier from the fireworks item; the council proceeded without her on that vote. Mayor Jesse Reyes and other members repeatedly framed safety as an overriding concern: “Public safety always has to be number 1,” Reyes said as he pressed the discussion toward logistics and fire risk given recent heavy vegetation growth.
Council members debated whether staff should apply a strict checklist of performance metrics or let elected members exercise discretion. Some councilmembers said they want measurable past performance and social‑media visibility as evidence of consistent outreach. Others argued the council should reserve the final decision for itself and use the hearing to judge applicants directly.
The council approved applicants 1–7 on the list presented by staff (the approved groups included Dare You to Be Different Ministries, Adelanto Little League, Community Benefit Corp (city booth), Christ the Good Shepherd, American Legion Post 229 and Auxiliary, High Desert Devils and another applicant). One councilmember voted no; another abstained earlier through recusal. The mayor said staff should reach out to other community organizations if any approved groups decline the booth.
The council also scheduled a standalone workshop to create a formal, public selection process for future years and directed staff to prepare a data briefing from the fire department and sheriff’s office about the operational impacts and calls for service during the fireworks season. The mayor said the workshop should happen soon after July 4 to establish clear, measurable criteria for future awards.
The decision leaves several applicants subject to follow‑up checks and the council signaled it may revisit eligibility rules and the city booth partnership process ahead of next year’s season.
The council’s action on the fireworks booths came during a meeting that also included youth presentations, city project updates and adoption of the city’s portion of the regional water plan.
