Ocala-News.com received several more letters from residents concerning a decision by the Ocala City Council to approve a $300,000 contract for drone shows during the next two Fourth of July celebrations at Tuscawilla Park. Here are a few:

“My name is John Casse. My father and I have done professional fireworks displays in Ocala for nearly 50 years under the name of Skylighters of Florida. I would like to set the record straight on a comment that fireworks could not be done in Tuscawilla Park because of Seminole Feed’s fertilizer. That is incorrect, according to NFPA Code 1123, which is the regulation that governs outdoor fireworks displays. The distance needed to fire up to 4″ professional aerial shells would be 280′ radius, with that distance being doubled if hazmat materials are nearby. The fact of the matter is that there are several sites that could be utilized at Tuscawilla Park with the cost for a 15 minute fireworks show being approximately $30,000, as quoted by Mayor Ben Marciano at Tuesday’s meeting. Despite my company being local and doing shows in Ocala for decades for F.A.F.O’s Symphony Under The Stars, Veterans Day Celebration and On Top of the World, just to name a few, we have never been asked to look at sites in Tuscawilla Park. I have no problem booking other shows on the 4th of July and will be busy, but it seems the City has little concern for spending the Citizens of Ocala’s funds in a wasteful manor.” – John Casse, Ocala

“This drone stuff is a total waste of our tax-paying money. Our council people need to really think this out. Vote no to drones. Vote yes to fireworks.” Bill Tarus, Silver Springs

 “What happened to Bombs Bursting in Air for Our Countries Birthday? This will cost way too much money! What is next, a drone Christmas parade. Time to vote for common sense leaders. Very disappointed, again!” – Ree Wolf, Ocala

 “We have lived in Ocala for five years now. The amount of poverty is staggering and heart-wrenching. That money would feed multiple families for two years. Shame on everyone who agrees to spend $300,000 on drones for their momentary viewing. Plain selfish” – Miriam Borton Atanasio MD, Ocala

“Only drunken sailors (Or Democrats) could possibly think that spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for 15 minutes of entertainment is a great idea. Like any new high-tech gadget, these drone Shows are very expensive. As time goes on, the cost may drop. However, at this time, the cost to put on a Fourth of July drone show is prohibitively expensive, and it is extremely irresponsible to waste that amount of money. If the time comes when they can spend $25,000 for a 30 minute drone show, that would make good economic sense. But these fools who voted to waste our good taxpayer money need to be voted out as soon as possible.” – Bill Rose, Ocala