40% Increase in Water at July 5th Parade Sparks Controversy – Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters…..Heroes of the Parade…These Guys Really Know Water
By Terry Miller
Published: Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
.Kids delight in the water being ejected from a water tender along the parade route…despite the city’s adamant ban on such activities, the volunteer firefighters decided it was in the best interest of the kids to spray water. - Photos by Terry Miller
Sierra Madre Volunteer Firefighters…..Heroes of the Parade…These Guys Really Know Water
Dogmatic Observations: By Terry Miller
There were several things different about this year’s Fourth of July parade. Firstly and perhaps foremost, it was not held on the fourth, presumably as to not to offend those attending church.
( I wonder whatever happened to separation of Church and State?)
Indeed the crowd was considerably lighter this year and a little more of the June gloom seemed to creep into early July. The beer garden was considerably less well attended and beer sales were down enormously – perhaps due to the choices available: Bud and Bud light! Most beer aficionados will not drink that stuff! I also think the beer garden may have been boycotted by those in support of the FD as they traditionally sponsor and man the beer garden as a fundraiser! This year it was for the Sierra Madre Little league. Not really sure how beer and little league seems more appropriate politically than Firefighting and hops. But, I digress, these are decisions for those much wiser than I.
Despite official calls for a “No water Zone” along the parade route Monday – a rather tremendous almost magical thing happened at the July 5th parade. The volunteer firefighters apparently overlooked the newly imposed litigious limitations as if to say…Hey, the kid’s just want to have fun…this is a day for freedom from tyranny of the Red Coats in city hall!
I did hear one city official, who shall remain nameless for the time being, say that he took pictures of the offending firefighters and will be addressing the issue with the chief! Hmmm, I hope that was tongue in cheek and not towing the party line as so many in local governments do to protect their precious derriere.
With Sierra Madre Water Rates possibly Going up? Residents’ temperatures are going up exponentially…It therefore seemed only natural that something had to be done. And that something was a clear message to the city – At least a 40% increase in water being enjoyed by hundreds of kids along the parade route over last year.
The firefighters have had a love hate relationship with some city officials for some time now.
The Sierra Madre City College float was a send-up of the city’s plan to raise the water rates and offered a rather clever solution “Sinko De July”…drink Cerveza!
Even the choice of Grand Marshal this year, Lew Watanabe, was ironic methinks! One of Lew’s specialties is Water sculptures.
Traditionally, the parade has been a wonderful eclectic parade of water fest where kids vs. firefighters enjoyed friendly (and safe) water play to cool off in the summer heat. No one ever got hurt, but someone did complain a few years ago and the city set some rather unpopular and seemingly unnecessary rules and regulations as a result of potentially litigious grumpy parade goers. Note to City officials: Ban the water Ban, in fact ban all the restrictions entirely. Do what one of the most successful and popular, the Doo Dah Parade, does: Restrict nothing. Anything goes and EVERYONE has fun. After all, the very essence of Sierra Madre is artistic expression and always has been.
We were somewhat confused why the Sierra Madre Police dept. wasn’t in this year’s parade. Or if they were, we missed them.
This is what the City’s website had to tell resident prior to the parade:
“Traditionally, water has been squirted back and forth amongst viewers and participants during the parade. However, this year the City has established a new set of Water Play Zone Guidelines. Sierra Vista Park is now the only designated water play zone (west side of the park on the grass lawn). The Sierra Madre Fire Department will be spraying water into Sierra Vista Park for children and families to play in. Only water/squirt guns will be permitted at the water play zone. Absolutely no water balloons or use of water hoses will be tolerated at the water play zone or anywhere along the parade route.
Absolutely NO water will be allowed along the parade route. Parking signage will exhibit a “No Water Zone” notice along Sierra Madre Blvd.”
As I recall, a father was arrested a few years ago for shooting water at a police chief/officer during the parade. Now if that wasn’t bad enough, a couple of years later, a business owner was arrested for spraying his sidewalk clean of dog poop in preparation for customers coming in for a spot of tea. Now, admittedly, he was arrested for allegedly “threatening a code enforcement officer” but it came about because of water.
I have covered more parades in Sierra Madre than I care to remember and this is the first time I’ve ever heard so much negativity towards city officials for such harebrained ordinances. If it’s not the inane parking regulations, it’s the hosing off of sidewalks. If the fourth is on a Sunday, we’ll parade around on the Fifth and restrict about every enjoyable thing the kids have come to expect about a parade. Candy, balloons, and yes WATER!
the following photos are from my archives…thought we’s share them with our readers:
For once, I agree (dare I say it) with “The Tattler” blog’s wordsmith, aka John Crawford who recently posted this comment on the aforementioned water restriction:
“… the last thing any parent enjoys seeing is their kids subjected to the same tedious and politically correct over regulation of everything fun that we as adults face. Childhood, and certainly during as festive an occasion as a parade celebrating the birth of our American freedoms, should be a refuge from such petty tyranny. But alas, that no longer seems to be the case with our 4th (or 5th) of July Parade. It is quite an unfortunate lesson for children, if you think about it.”
Well said sir! …Did I just agree with Mr. Crawford? Yes, I bloody well did ‘because you’re bloody well right sir!
How quickly the city forgets how the firefighters helped during the Station Fire, or any fire in recent history. How they (the firefighters, who are mostly volunteers) put on the annual egg hunt for the kids…and are always are there when you need them in. These are talented, extremely well-trained and dedicated caring men and women who choose to serve a seemingly ungrateful community. Please let the firefighters pull out their hoses on the Fourth of July and help them help the kids enjoy one of the few freedoms left in this country.
One Sierra Madre resident , Mr. Bob Matheson, wrote this to our newspaper this morning:
“Sierra Madre put it’s best foot and fire hose forward again this year as our townsfolk celebrated the birth of our country in grand, Sierra Madre All-American fashion. The parade, the jazz band and activities for the kids in the park, and of course the Beer Garden, are the traditional 4th of July treasures of Sierra Madre. Kudos to the always fabulous Fourth of July Committee, headed now by Matt Bosse, for pulling everything together. It’s a time and place that we all keep coming back to, year after year…a celebration that singularly embodies the “Spirit of Sierra Madre.” It’s why we enjoy living here!
Amidst all this great fun and success is there the risk of criticism? I saw a Fire Department engine occasionally stop and, very judiciously, spray a narrow pattern of water directly ahead. Common sense called for the water spray! The kids had a thrill they’ll cherish for their lifetime. I can’t imagine anyone being critical of doing the right thing!
So while our Fire Department was in the parade, our terrific Police, Water and Public Works Department employees should have been, too! They help keep things running 24/7, and deserve the same applause of an appreciative crowd. And talking about great people helping others, how lucky we are to have the fabulous Search & Rescue Team in our town, and in the parade, too!
BTW, There was live television coverage of the parade on KCBS-TV this year! If you missed it, you can still see the report on their website http://cbs2.com/video/?id=138802@kcbs.dayport.com.
Happy Birthday America!!! Bob Matheson”
Beacon Media ‘phone calls to city official(s) for a statement on the water matter were not immediately returned. Official comment from the fire dept. has similarly been silent, presumably at the request of the city manager’s office WC – water conservation.
We hope to update this post with comments from city staff as soon as possible.
I would, should I be asked, categorically ban any political hacks from entering the parade. The parade is about freedom not free publicity for politicians! Let them buy an ad in our paper!
We welcome your comments on this: please e mail: editor@sierramadreweekly.com
Or contact Terry Miller at tmiller@beaconmedianews.com
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