| Author |
Message |
    
DeborahG
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 1500
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 10:26 pm: |     |
Great display, lots of fun. Kudos to the police and everyone else who cooperated to bring us an amazing evening. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1610
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 11:37 pm: | |
The only complaint we have was there was too much time between each firework...
My neck now hurts from looking up! Ouch! Well worth it though... |
Stuart0628
Citizen
Username: Stuart0628
Post Number: 66
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 11:43 pm: | |
40 minutes of fireworks could have been compressed into 30.
But there were some new and interesting types this year...fun as always. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 346
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 4, 2005 - 11:52 pm: | |
Absolutely fabulous .... I think they were approx. 40 min. long!
Police - Great!!!!
Only one request for next year .... I love the music with the fireworks, if they could continue the music throughout that would be PERFECT!
I was so proud to live in SO this weekend! 
|
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1991
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:00 am: | |
Thank you, South Orange, for the greatest Independence Day celebration in many years. Yes, thank you SOPD, but also to SOFD, SORS, and, always, SODPW. You guys had double duty after the Two Towns in Harmony fest yesterday. YOU ROCK!
Happy 4th to all - it is truly an ALL TOWNS IN HARMONY in South Orange. A peaceful assemblage in honor of America. My favorite day in South Orange, all my life.
|
John Ace
Citizen
Username: Johnnyace
Post Number: 19
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 8:34 am: | |
Was anyone pirvvy to any post fireworks fireworks?
My wife and I were walking along South Orange Avenue East about 30 minutes after the fireworks ended and we saw at least two handcuffed youths put into SOPD squad cars. And then a gaggle of other youths yelling about it.
I didn't see any violence, guns, knives, but there was a lot of shouting an posturing. I just wonder what happened.
The fireworks was wonderful as always. |
gotcha
Citizen
Username: Gotcha
Post Number: 42
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 8:46 am: | |
The trash on the HIll this morning was horrific. Can't people pack out what they bring in? THE DPW has enough to do without having to pick up after the slobs who visit South Orange to see the fireworks. (Not that South Orangers are incapable of trashing the hillside as well, but I think we have more respect for the area we live in) |
noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 87
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 9:10 am: | |
Totally agree about the trash. It was unbelieveable how much of it was left on the hill--stuff like soda bottles and other stuff that could have just as easily been thrown in a receptacle (there were plenty around).
Other than that (and the post-fireworks antics on SO Ave), it was a lovely evening, though... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1613
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 9:29 am: | |
Stuart- My sister said the same thing about the spacing of the fireworks.
Happyman- Do you know if that was 'the band' playing the music toward the end or recorded music? Maybe we can suggest the music continues through the fireworks next year. It was a nice touch!
Bets -You are 100% on target with how great our police, fire, pulib works departs are and the same with our volunterr first aid squad. I also saw Andy Brady running around; doesn't that guy ever take a day off? 
John -I'm guessing some kids were tossing firecrackers or some other type of explosives. Most time the police won't bother you if you're on your own property setting them off; even though they're illegal.
Once it's public property, I think it's a different story.
Gotcha- We couldn't believe the number of people sitting around us who left their garbage; despite there being a garbage can right by us!
Nora - It wasn't just soda bottles -there were plenty of beer bottles too! |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 228
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 10:11 am: | |
I felt terrible for the people who live in that area. A lot of people attending the festivities parked in the surrounding neighborhoods and walked all over the yards and some flowers were looking a little unhealthy after being obliterated by Nike shoes... |
noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 88
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:14 am: | |
JTA: I think the melee on SO Ave. was a ilittle more than firecrackers, unfortunately. We stopped for ice cream after the fireworks, and overheard a family talking about some sort of altercation they had had with some kids--don't know if it was the same kids who later were arrested or not, but the family was pretty upset by whatever it was that happened.
And btw, huge kudos to the DPW, who are out on Floods Hill right now picking up all the trash. I was just out walking and went past the area--granted, some of the trash obviously came from overflowing trash cans and the areas around the food stands, but it was amazing to see how much trash was scattered around the hill. Grrrr. |
happyman
Citizen
Username: Happyman
Post Number: 347
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 11:41 am: | |
Just the Aunt-
I believe the music was recorded. They started with God Bless America, then Louis Armstrong (my fav!) and then I believe they stopped until the finale. It would have been great if it was continuous.
We were up on the top of the hill and it would have been good if they had garbage cans there, I saw none. I don't know if it was due to security issues or simply a lack of extra garbage cans, but they would have saved some work the following day if there were more.
Question:
Any predictions/estimates on the number of people there? It looked like all of Essex County. |
Purlgrrl
Citizen
Username: Purlgrrl
Post Number: 44
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:17 pm: | |
Re: the trash -
My son and I took a walk down to the ice cream trucks and vendors toward the stage area and couldn't find a trash can anywhere nearby. I figured we were under the campsite rule - we just took our garbage home with us! |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 6799
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 12:43 pm: | |
Yesterday's band played with a drum kit and pre-recorded keyboard and had the audacity to ask if we preferred "today's music to yesterday's" meaning, I guess, the symphonic two-towns piece that took 2 years to put together and included many neighbors' participation.
Can we please not invite this band back? |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1627
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 5, 2005 - 10:58 pm: | |
Dave-
Now don't go picking on Matty and Mark! He's been doing the fireworks for years. Even when asked at the last minute because a lot of times the other bands back out. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1997
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 12:41 am: | |
I watched the fireworks from my sister's house; she lives quite close to the park. We got Butch Larkin directing traffic (always a treat to see the Dancing Cop!), and love sitting on the porch watching the world go by.
Only problem was that altercation at Scotland/South Orange Avenue backed up traffic for at least an hour. Some friends who knew they wouldn't get out for awhile stopped by to visit.
Great night, great weekend. More coming up. Sigh.
Isn't summertime supposed to be a little slower?
I saw Butch again today directing traffic, and he and I agreed that there had to be 10,000 people there. He said there were a few fights between teenagers and that caused the major traffic backup.
Thank you again to all of the Village employees who worked so hard this weekend. I owe you one next time I see you!
-bets |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1633
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 1:43 am: | |
BETS
What fireworks were YOU at? LOL! Hope you're feelingbetter and have a safe trip... |
Ace789nj
Citizen
Username: Ace789nj
Post Number: 58
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 2:14 am: | |
Fireworks - good as usual
aftermath - worse than last year's (as predicted)
why is it that people can't get together with out causing trouble? There were fights at village plaza, scotland/so. orange, trenchard/so. orange, irvington ave, & in front of blockbuster. one of the kids that was jumped was cut either with a knife or other object. BTW, the incidents were gang related.
It sucks for the people who want to have a nice night out and have to deal with the ones who can't act civilized.
YEAH, fireworks!!! |
Quint
Citizen
Username: Shark_killer
Post Number: 17
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 10:35 pm: | |
Geez...........our South Orange Kids at it again huh? Maybe if the basketball court were open this would not have taken place. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 1208
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 11:15 pm: | |
"If Woody had gone to the police, none of this would have happened." |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 2004
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 12:34 am: | |
I was close enough not to have to go to the park, JTA, but based on the crowds heading down to the park, the non-stop traffic even after they started early, and the fact that I was observing just the one entry point to the festivities, that was my estimate. Butch Larkin agreed. Am I totally off base? Can anyone from DPW guesstimate? |
Ace789nj
Citizen
Username: Ace789nj
Post Number: 59
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 1:44 pm: | |
Rastro - The Woody line's got me cracking up, but for the life of me I can't remember where it's from. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 1211
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 2:13 pm: | |
Ace... it's from a woody woodpecker episode. Not sure of the details... I'll see what I can find.
.
.
.
Quick web search turned up nothing useful, other than the fact that it's a popular phrase to use in taglines on web boards.
I believe Woody was trying to take the law into his own hands, and the narrator kept saying, "If Woody had gone to the police, this never would have happened." Eventually, Woody turns to the "camera" and says "ahhh, shuddup" |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1042
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 2:16 pm: | |
"BTW, the incidents were gang related."
Don't suppose you can provide any info to back that up?
And by "gang," what do you mean exactly? A bunch of white kids on the same lacrosse team?
|
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 1802
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 2:36 pm: | |
Bronco Busters.
 |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1181
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 3:48 pm: | |
"Bunco Busters" (1955) |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 1214
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 7, 2005 - 5:35 pm: | |
and I thought *I* was scary with this stuff. I sit here with hours on my hands, and I still find others with more  |
Ace789nj
Citizen
Username: Ace789nj
Post Number: 60
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 2:48 pm: | |
gang related - a group of juveniles (15-17 yrs) all bearing some type of gang identifier (bandana, certain types of sneakers, tattoos, red shirts etc) catch up with a lone affiliate of another and jump him - one incident took place on village plaza, about 6 kids beat up one guy, he was forced into the vestibule of the old cd shop and punched, kicked and stomped all the while the aggresors are yelling out gang sayings and flashing gang signs. the kids eventually was cut with an unkwon object, he refused any medical attention and would not cooperate with law enforcement..........that's just one of the icidents that took place. kids who were ordered to leave wound up gathering at other locations causing trouble there as well. they weren't listening to the orders of the police who were summoned in force to deal with large unruly crowds in about 5 different locations. some of them were arrested. in all it took quite a bit of time to for the police to "baby sit" the crowds as most of the groups pretty much have to be ushered out of town. the different incidents involved groups that pretty much knew each other, and somehow they seem to have issues with anyone not.
cmonty - I hope you don't think that SO doesn't have it's share of gang problems, and it shouldn't be too far fetched to you that with the lerge influx of people from neighboring towns/cities for the fireworks would come added problems.
|
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 156
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 5:21 pm: | |
Obviously being next to Newark and Hop and Skip to Irvington we have our share of transient gang issues. I have no doubt we have some right here living in town as well.
I think paying such high taxes we all sort of pull the wool down over our eyes and say...Well not in my town. But I think it will take a very serious act to get the attention of the masses. |
talk-it-up
Citizen
Username: Talkitup
Post Number: 163
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 11:29 pm: | |
Did anyone look at the map issued in the paper of activities?
Anyone notice how some of our neighboring towns do not even provide fireworks for their residents?
I did not see anything listed for Newark, Orange, and Irvington???? |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 1218
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 1:04 am: | |
What is your point, TIU? |
Taylor M
Citizen
Username: Anotherusername
Post Number: 493
Registered: 8-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 2:03 am: | |
Why should Newark, Irvington, or Orange have fireworks for their communities? They aren't stupid. They don't want all the problems associated with the crowds who come to see them. Why pay for the added police etc when another town can?
Did anyone notice none of the incidents mentioned in this thread made the newspaper?
|
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 158
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 8:06 am: | |
NOTHING IS EVER IN THE NEWS PAPER...I remember asking a police officer about a week later about an incident near my residence that seemed very involved a few months back, and he just laughed at me saying "if it isn't in the paper then maybe it didn't happen?"
I just have to assume we all receive the watered down version by either the police or by the paper itself. |
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