Joe Nasatka of Manhattan Project Pyrotechnical Displays of Annapolis ended a 21 year family tradition in Chestertown last night — when his finely tuned pyrotechnic crew lit up the sky over the Chester River for the last time.
The Town Council recently decided to end further public funding of fireworks in light of the budget challenges that have frozen the wages of municipal employees over the last few years.
Nasatka said he learned of the decision by the council only recently and was told that private donations would be the only solution to funding the event in the coming years.
“There will not be a fireworks show next year, unless enough donations come in,” Nasatka said. “If they can come up with the funds, we’re ready to do it, but we have to know by a certain time during the year to be able to order the fireworks.”
![](https://www.chestertownspy.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/3/files/2011/07/IMG_4162.jpg)
Joe Nasatka and Joe Nasatka Jr. The Nasatka family has been lighting up Chestertown every Fourth of July for the last 21 years
Nasatka pointed out that Rock Hall has been funding their fireworks through private donations for many years now. “If someone can come up with the money, we’re ready,” Nasatka said, “…but we put our order in around December.”
Some patrons of last night’s show believed that there is still a future for fireworks in Chestertown — and firmly believe that private citizens and organizations can be very successful at bringing together a fireworks show.
“Rock Hall made that decision years ago,” said Chestertown resident Bruce Rushton. “Art Willis, owner of Sailing Emporium, picked up the challenge and organized a group of people who raised enough money to have a better and better fireworks show each year, and it doesn’t cost the town a thing…and the [Rock Hall Fire Department] also gets about $25,000 in donations from the funds that are raised.”
Many residents are disappointed with the loss of a Chestertown tradition, several business owners and residents said they were confounded that the town was in negotiations to buy a marina when money is so tight.
“What business does the town have buying a Marina when they can’t even afford fireworks,” said Buzzy Lane, owner of Ellen’s Coffee Shop. “It just doesn’t make any sense.”
Another resident, who chose to be unnamed, said the town had “champagne ideas on a beer wallet.”
“They talk about saving the taxpayer 20K,” the resident said. “But we’re going to get stuck making the bond payments [for the marina] project out of our pockets if it doesn’t make any money, we’ll have to pay a whole lot more than 20K if things don’t go as planned…the state raised tolls on shore residents to pay the highway bonds…do you think this town won’t hit us for more money if [the marina] falls into the red?”
Keith Thompson says
“Champagne ideas on a beer wallet”…I like that.
O.K.. contrast Chestertown with Rock Hall…
Rock Hall has privately funded the town’s fireworks for several years and have had people in the community step in with time and money to fulfill the town’s civic pride . The town is also investing in its infrastructure which at time is spent on revitalizing Main Street through both private and public means. The investment in the infrastructure is aimed at boosting business in the town.
In Chestertown, the town has funded the fireworks display for years and really hasn’t invested in the town’s infrastructure, especially infrastructure that serves as a boost for business in the town.
Chestertown, whether its the government, the business community or the citizens; have been sitting still waiting for things to happen. The Rock Hall government, business community and citizens are not sitting still, but are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work making things happen. Finally there’s a plan in Chestertown on how to move the economy of the town into the 21st Century and to shake off the economic malaise that exists. The response from a significant part of the community is to find excuses on why the town can’t do this.
The only way to keep from stubbing your toe is to stand perfectly still. Rock Hall is a town that is willing to move forward at the risk of stubbing their toe while Chestertown seemingly is so scared of stubbing its toe that it is too paralyzed to move.
country girl says
Why doesn’t the College put up any money for the 4th of July fireworks?
Diana Wilson says
In Johnstown, PA, the 5 community banks got together and funded the fireworks. Each bank kicked in anywhere from 2 to 5 thousand, (I think) and voila! fireworks!
Mailman Jack says
It seems to me that if R. Kirby is going to walk away from the marina project then it is not going to be profitable. The $2 million price tag would pay for 100 years (at 20K) worth of fireworks. Hmm… better investment?
Fireworks Spectator says
My friends and I were asking each other last night, “Why aren’t the downtown businesses open tonight to enjoy the influx of hundreds of potential patrons who arrive early to beat the traffic jam and have to entertain themselves for an hour or two before the fireworks?” I’m sure Fish Whistle did a good deal of business. Fireworks is a potential draw for business, but High Street and Cross Street were dark when we arrived around 8:00.
Keith Thompson says
@Mailman Jack
Apparently not if you read Fireworks Spectator’s post below yours.
Gibson says
Keith Says, “Rock Hall is a town that is willing to move forward at the risk of stubbing their toe while Chestertown seemingly is so scared of stubbing its toe that it is too paralyzed to move.”
I say:
Waterfront purchase negotiations
Rail Trail construction beginning
South Cross Street revitalized
Downtown Chestertown Association – revitalized
First Fridays – thriving
Farmer’s Market/Craft vendors – thriving
High Street repaved and bike lanes added
South-east (Stepney/waterfront) Area Plan consultant hired
Armory deliberations with college
WC investment in waterfront campus (and environmental cleanup)
Kayak/canoe ramp and dock added at Wilmer Park and town dock
Catty One says
@ country girl
The college puts on a very elaborate fireworks display around the time the students return every fall.
It’s in late Aug. , early Sept, can’t remember which anymore with my feeble mind.
I get a view from my house. I can say the college show is every bit as good and lengthy as the town’s 4th display.
Keith Thompson says
Gibson,
I’m placing a broad brush that goes beyond town politics and speaks to the town as a community. However, when it comes to your list of the things that Chestertown has done/is doing…how much of this has actually has a direct influence on drawing people downtown, and more importantly, drawing people downtown who are otherwise going to Middletown or Dover to spend money? Let me list the items one by one..
Waterfront purchase negotiations…absolutely the most important thing the town is doing right now but unfortunately, a large chunk of the town doesn’t realize the economic impact of the decision whether or not the town makes the purchase.
Rail Trail construction beginning…a part of the riverfront project, but not something in an of itself that attracts a lot of business. It’s a nice add on, not a big economic benefit.
South Cross Street revitalized…looks nice but has it brought in brand new business?
DCA…I have issues here. The DCA should be all over promoting the marina purchase/riverfront plan instead of fighting a theroretical Wal-Mart across the river. Instead of spending time fighting something they have no say nor vote on in QAC, their effort should be spent on making what goes on across the river irrelevant. Also, what is the DCA plan to fill all the vacant storefronts downtown?
First Fridays…why not do this every Friday? Why not do this every weeknight or Saturday and Sunday afternoons? Why does there need to be a special event for downtown businesses to be open after 5pm when most people are actually available to shop.
Farmer’s Market…one of the best things the town does, but the next step is keeping the people in town after the market closes in the early afternoon. How do you get the patrons spending money at downtown businesses before they leave town?
High Street repaving/bike lanes…necessary infrastructure but has it brought in business? Also speaking of High Street, wouldn’t a Royal Farms store (built to their specifications) have helped business on the upper end of High Street?
Stepney waterfront consultant…simply a necessary part of the riverfront project.
Armory negotiations with the college…will the college be able to do what they need to do to make the property an economic benefit, even if that means tearing the building down if necessary.
WC investment in the waterfront…great, especially if it draws people into the downtown area to spend money. Also, will the WC property add to the tax base…and if not, shouldn’t it?
Kayak/canoe ramp at Wilmer Park/town dock…nice thing to have but how much business does it draw? Are people buying canoes or kayaks locally to launch at the docks?
What I’m getting at here, is that its not enough to act; town government has to actively engage the community in the process. Rock Hall gets it because the town leaders have the vision to see what they need to do and they put forth the effort to sell their vision to the people. That’s the difference between waiting for things to happen and moving the town forward. Chestertown’s approach is passive, while Rock Hall’s is active. Mayor Willis in Rock Hall has been able to energize the Rock Hall citizens and community on his Main Street revitalization program because he’s engaged the citizens and business community in the process. They seem like a pretty united bunch there. Chestertown is not a united bunch, especially given the opposition to the marina purchase that I keep reading and hearing about (and also based on the plastic bag ban). Is the town engaged in selling the concept to local business and the citizens, or is the town simply content to sit back and make the purchase and expect the people to deal with it? Or changing the subject to the fireworks…why wait for someone in the community to pick up the funding load, when town leaders can ask the community and engage them in the process? That’s proactive leadership.
As a town councilman, we invite you (and any other town official) to come on the air anytime at WCTR to talk about the town’s plans in an open dialogue The welcome mat is always out.
Gibson says
Keith,
After our previous extended phone conversation two weeks ago, I thought I was waiting for a call from the station. My mistake. I’ll call for a date/time.
-Gibson
Keith Thompson says
Gibson,
We’d love to have you on. Give us a call.
Steve Payne says
Keith,
The upper end of High Street is doing much better than it was when I moved here. Most of the commercial buildings are occupied now. The townhouses got rebuilt and they look real nice. Benchworks moved into the warehouse on the corner and the office went into the Radcliff Mill building. An office condo bldg was built and appears to be mostly occupied. The 4 way stop at the corner makes that intersection much more usable which will help the area.
You’re around town almost every weekend. You must see the large numbers of folks downtown often. They didn’t come to go to Royal Farms. They came for all the ammenities we take for granted as Gibson and others have mentioned.
Each of these things is only a part of the many things that makes Chestertown the great place that it is.
Catty One says
Steve, if you say chestertown is a great place you must be deaf as a door nail. Oh, sorry, er, hearing-impaired that is.
No wonder the owner of Kent Plaza doesn’t want to spend a dime for improvements. Every time I am there my ears are assaulted by the rap “music” blaring from the cars, extolling the virtues of living a life with coke, whores, and of course, all liberally sprinkled with the F word as a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction.
With the speed bumps in place the cars move slowly enough so this entertainment can be heard far in excess of the 50 ‘ the law permits. I can stand in front of the old Hallmark and hear the concert coming from Rose’s.
It’s somewhat better at Wash Square, possibly bec. of the differing mix of stores to attract these music lovers. But it happens there as well.
I’ve often wondered – what do the mothers shopping with their youngsters say when a cute tot demands to know what was THAT they were saying?
Then, when you can’t stand it anymore and leave, whether on Scheeler or the bypass, your ears are again assaulted by the sounds made by the many pick-up trucks whose owners weren’t satisfied by the normal sounds made by engines. What a waste of time & material to put up those signs that modified exhausts are against the law? That $ could have gone for fireworks. Lot of good they do. I have seen the cops pass right by these drivers with their many psychological disorders relating to their genital size. Yet never anyone pulled over and given a citation.
Yeah, Steve, I guess if you are hard of hearing, willing to wear blinders when you go out, then chestertown is a swell place to live.
You can be sure the mayor would see to it in a hurriy the cops put a stop to this around the farmers market or anywhere else in the Hysteric District.