(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic will not renew its contract with J & M Displays for fireworks next year, following complaints about the show’s brevity and lack of luster. City Administrator John Lund said the firm has acknowledged the City’s decision.

(The City will instead use a local fireworks company. It’s too early to say which of the two local vendors they will choose.)

Mark O’Brien owns Wild Willy’s. In his proposal to the City, O’Brien submitted a bid of $6,000 for a 45-to 60-minute display on July 4th, 2022. The show would be in the Atlantic Sports Complex located across from the KJAN Studios. Dan Vargason sells fireworks for the Iowa Fireworks Company. Vargason proposes an electronically fired display lasting no less than 20-minutes for the sum of $6,000. His show would be at the Schildberg Recreation Area, between the dock and playground, or on a floating platform off the dock.

J&M had offered to give the community a free show (Valued at $6,000), to make up for what was perceived to be a very short show this year. Had the offer been accepted, the display would have been held July 2^nd instead of July 4^th, 2022. John Lund said the City has a chance to replace computer technology, thanks to the Feds.

(The Feds are offering $9,500 to cities for the purchase of specified computer technology, which means Atlantic won’t have to dip into property taxes to make any computer upgrades.)

In other news, the Atlantic City Council heard from Code Enforcement Officer Kris Erickson, who said notices of non-compliance with City Code (with regard to property clean-ups and other violations) issued this year, are much less than they were last year.

She said also, there were around 156 calls about neighbors with violations, like junk on the property. Erickson says 137 complaints were valid. She offers some advice to consider before you call to complain….

Erickson said there are currently 13 violations in progress, which she expects to be corrected by the end of this week, if not by the property owner, by her…with the charges assessed to the property owner. And, she said there are eight abandoned/dangerous property in the City. All eight are in the process of being handled in one form or another. She did not indicate which properties were on the list. And, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, took a few moments to recognize Hannah Richter for her work at City Hall over the Summer. Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Somers…

(Richter will be heading-off to college at Northwest Missouri State.)