Vienna Fireworks Reduced to Jane Seeman and a Laser Pointer
Recently Jane Seeman questioned Celine Dion music - concerned that she was Canadian. Since we pointed out Seeman's fine xenophobic rant, she must have felt the need to say more. From the Sun Gazette:
Vienna Town Council members on April 7 voted 5-2 to approve a contract with Image Engineering of Baltimore to produce a laser light show in lieu of fireworks at this year's Fourth of July celebration. Town officials opted to make the switch after several people were injured by a malfunctioning multi-shot firework at last year's celebration. The laser show, which will cost up to $22,700, is more expensive than the $10,000 spent last year on fireworks. The new show will project lasers into the sky and onto an inflatable, seven-story screen. The council also agreed to project up to 15 custom images, specific to the town, at a cost of $100 each. Robinson, who voted with Town Council member Michael Polychrones against the contract, wanted to hold the show's cost to no more than its base price of $15,000. Town Council member Laurie Cole countered that, because the town was breaking with its long-established fireworks tradition, it should not skimp on the laser show's quality. Vienna Parks and Recreation director Cathy Salgado agreed. "The $15,000 package is not enough to do something that will be a lasting impression in the minds of people here," Salgado said. "To give them the 'wow' factor, it needs to be a multi-layered, multi-dimensional show." In an aside to the main issue, Cole and Mayor M. Jane Seeman apologized for questioning, at an earlier meeting, the desirability of playing singer Celine Dion's music at the event. Neither, apparently, is a big fan of the Canadian songbird. Despite the apology, Polychrones said Cole and Seeman were right on in their musical tastes. "I have heard her songs and, in my opinion, Madam Mayor, you weren't that wrong," he said.
Who is betting that these crackpots shoot a kid in the eye with a laser and cause permanent eye damage? When you add stupidity with even more stupidity you don't get smarts.
Comments
Oh my goodness how typical of this Town to throw the pendulum to the other side. Rather than correct the problem (having people sit further back) they throw the whole tradition out. To me this makes the Town look culpable for the fiasco last year. Bad advice and now more money for what, an experiment??!!! How embarrassing! I think I will have a boom box playing Celine Dion. That's about as American as fake fireworks!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | April 9, 2008 10:28 AM
Wasn't there a Japanese study several years ago regarding children in Japan who reacted in an autistic manner due to lasers in a game?
Posted by: SOS | April 9, 2008 10:30 AM
It looks like this one seals the deal. We are not in America. Where do I pick up my Nazi Youth suit? The same place I pick up my "I love Vienna" tag?
Posted by: ugh | April 9, 2008 10:33 AM
Aren't politicians supposed to be diplomatic handling our affairs. Why in the world would Polychrones make a disparaging remark about Celine Dion. In effect he is saying that there are a lot of people who are nits for liking her. Who was it that said: "Vienna deserves better".
Posted by: Sour Grapes? | April 9, 2008 03:43 PM
For a group that loves to yack about authentic history...we now have lasers on the 4th of July. The only thing historic in Vienna is Maud and the dead people who vote for her. Let's face it, what 40 year old could pull the lever for Maud. Can you imagine how unhinged a younger person could be to vote for her? Seeman's nutjob kids are about it we hope.
Posted by: Historic BS | April 9, 2008 06:20 PM
what a bunch of losers.
I mean TOTAL LOSERS
You think Vienna is going to go for this SH%T!?
Maybe this will be the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back.
Look at it this way. Vienna is Vienna. We have baseball, football, apple pie and ice cream, and strolls, parades, and Christmas walks, etc...
but now, and this site had nothing to with it, but the Vienna brain drains have actually voted to do away with the 4th of July Fireworks... and for what?
Because the are too damned stupid to realize that their setup was unsafe from the get go and they are too damned stubborn to have fireworks with the citizens sitting back another couple of 100 yards or so.
So, there! You get what you voted for, Vienna, NO FIREWORKS DISPLAY!
The town is imploding! The old farts and imbeciles running this town have made the wrong decision and this is the way it is, because you voted for these idiots!
You get what you deserve! Do you think I sound mad? Yes, I have been living in this town for years, and I always looked forward to the 4th of July fireworks with my family. Now I will have to drive to another location to see the show.
WHAT a bunch of losers,
VIENNA DESERVES BETTER! I SAID IT NOW AND I SAID IT BEFORE!
Posted by: The REAL VoiceOfVienna | April 9, 2008 07:39 PM
We may as well be part of Fairfax!
They ignore our water costs, lack of appropriate police facilities, horrible school conditions and overcrowding, highest rapes stats in northern Virginia, head in the sand traffic gridlock, nothing but strip malls and gas stations, etc...
where the hell is Vienna heading to?
what a legacy to leave behind? Maud, Seeman, Cole, at the rest of you morons, I hope your proud. I guess you really don't care.
Posted by: ? | April 9, 2008 07:47 PM
I am going to do some "investigative" work for HV. I noticed a few "Cole" signs up today and I will take pictures of every single home who has political signs in their front yard. If you know of any in your 'hood, let me know (I am serious).
I want to know who the boobs are who have up any signs for town politicians.
Posted by: vienna mommy | April 9, 2008 08:50 PM
Anyone who has a political sign up for an uncontested election nurses the political bosom of you know who. Don't bite machine members.
Posted by: HV | April 9, 2008 08:56 PM
I just took down a town council sign that was displayed in my yard for the upcoming election. No fireworks! Just a light show! This is completely nuts! Let's get rid of our grand old tradition, spend more money and tick more people off! Just wonderful! Can't wait to get my new sticker too! May just have to put a red line through it!
Posted by: P-O'd resident | April 15, 2008 05:54 PM
Well, I guess "vienna mommy" has taken a whole lot of pictures. There are a lot of signs up in town. For Seeman and the 3 unopposed TC members. Drive down Cottage or Lawyers. Or Park. I'm not voting, myself. Not without a real choice. And this gang of pinheads that run Vienna are not a choice.
Posted by: Mark | April 16, 2008 07:57 AM
I write down all the addresses when I ride by houses. When I get a chance, I'll post some of my houses.
I do think it's interesting that these still are not just "random" Vienna voters. Many (or most) are people who are connected to the Maud Machine - other politicians, board members & busy bodies in town.
Posted by: vienna momy | April 17, 2008 08:39 AM