De Blasio Wants Macy's July 4th Fireworks Back On East River
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Some New York City elected officials are seeing red over Macy's decision to again hold the July 4th fireworks show over the Hudson River, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.
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That includes Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, who wants them back over the East River.
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They moved to the Hudson River in 2009 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of Manhattan.
"Supposed to be one year only they were going over the Hudson River. A lot of people miss them in Brooklyn and Queens," he told Smith.
He's been pleading with Macy's to return to the East Side.
"We miss it, and I say that as a resident of Brooklyn. We miss it on the East River," De Blasio said. "We appreciate Macy's. We appreciate the fireworks, but they gotta come back to the East River."
"New York's Fourth of July celebration should be a real New York party. But year after year, millions of New Yorkers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan's East Side are left out while we send visitors and business to New Jersey," said State Senator Daniel Squadron in a statement.
"The Macy's fireworks display is a spectacular event that promotes economic activity and attracts visitors from all over the world, and at the very least Macy's should consider putting some barges on the East River so the entire city can enjoy the show," Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said in a statement.
Macy's spokesman Orlando Veras said the location all depends on the size of the show and that larger ones have to be on the Hudson.
"It's really based on the pyrotechnics we're using, what kind of effects they do," he told Smith.
While this year's display will be on the Hudson, a decision on next year's location has not yet been made.
Veras said the West Side is not a permanent home.
Hudson or East? Where do you think the fireworks should be? Sound off in the comments section below.
