Illuminations

It's up to the Occupancy Tax board to decide, and they are thinking over their decision and getting input from the community.

Today I'm in the news, instead of writing it, in a story in today's Virginian Pilot. 

For my other job for Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, I help coordinate the 4th of July celebrations on Ocracoke. For the past three years, we have discussed the possibility of bringing fireworks back, but this year we are the closest to making that a reality.

At the Occupancy Tax board meeting last week, I presented, on the behalf of OCBA, a request for funding for fireworks on Wednesday, July 1st. (Sorry, we can't do the 4th this year – read the letter to find out why.)

You can read a copy of the funding request letter here.

Jeff Hampton of the Virginian Pilot posted his story today. (I was waiting to see if we got the money!)

Three corrections to Jeff's story:

• The TOTAL cost (with fireworks, barge AND contigency funds for re-scheduling) is $37,500.
• Ocracoke doesn't have a meal tax, just a 3% occupancy (lodging) tax. 
• The marsh caught fire near Ramp 70 (not Pamlico Sound) in 2007, which was the last year the fireworks were shot from the beach.

Jeff's story also includes an online poll of whether you think Ocracoke should have fireworks again. 

This story has plenty of room in the comments below for you to express your opinion. Please share.