A big celebration is planned for the Fourth of July

I would like to extend an invitation to all Weiser and Weiser area residents.  

The first invitation is to the U.S. Armed Forces Veterans to the Fourth of July Parade and Flag Ceremony on, you guessed it, July 4. You have provided a great service for the rest of us. This community and nation are indebted to you. Please let us honor you on the Fourth of July by showing up at the Train Station at 10 a.m. There will be a short parade to Veteran’s Park on State Street at 11 a.m. If you are unable to march, a ride will be available. Please let us honor you and your service.

 At Veteran’s Park, there will be a flag ceremony and recognition of your service.

 As for the rest of you, please mark your calendar for 11 a.m. July 4 to be along the parade route to Veteran’s Park. We want to let ALL the Veterans who call Weiser home to know how much their service has meant to us and how much it is appreciated. Showing up and honoring our Veterans is the very least we can do. Let’s all do our part!

 Following the flag ceremony, there will be a free old-fashioned barbecue in Memorial Park at the newly constructed covered area next to the playground. The meal has been donated and will be served by volunteers. Come on out and enjoy asking a Veteran about their service and enjoying your friends and neighbor’s company. 

 Doesn’t that sound like a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July!

 Speaking of celebrating, fireworks will be launched on the hill next to Hillcrest Cemetery at sunset. 

 Last Saturday, there was a fireworks fundraising breakfast held at the Vendome. About $5,000 was raised from the attendance of about 80 people, which is not bad. However, this was not enough to cover the cost of the fireworks for both the Fourth of July and Christmas Parade celebrations which come to around $13,500. Next year the cost is expected to be higher. The Fire Department and the City of Weiser are each able to chip in some, but not enough to cover the difference. Between now and the Fourth, you will see donation jars placed at businesses around town. Please give generously if you would like to see the great fireworks displays we have had in the past to continue. 

 Also, I would like to encourage those of you who buy aerial fireworks for neighborhood displays to consider using all or part of your funds to go to the community display. Each year, I receive complaints/concerns from residents who worry about fires caused by aerial fireworks in the close quarter of neighborhoods. These are legitimate concerns because there have been fires. I have had residents tell me of sleepless nights because they saw cinders come down on their roofs and wondered if they would have a fire in the night. A few years ago, fireworks near the edge of Weiser caused a grass fire which burned a house down. So, please be considerate of your neighbors and consider helping the community celebrate the Fourth of July by donating rather than buying aerial fireworks.

 As for City business this week, if you have been by the corner of State Street and Idaho Street, you may have noticed the curb painted yellow along the southwest corner of the intersection. There have been many accidents at this intersection due to the limited visibility when cars park in this space. The yellow curbing is there to deter drivers from parking there. Hopefully, this will prevent further accidents and make Weiser an even safer place.

 Well, that’s it for this week. I hope to see you on the Fourth! Weiser really is a great place to live, work, and play!