Pitt Homecoming Fireworks

The following letter was written concerning Pitt’s potentially dangerous fireworks display.

August 16, 2010
The Honorable Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor of Pittsburgh

RE: Pitt’s Homecoming Week Fireworks

Dear Mayor Ravenstahl,

Thank you for responding to my letter of June 7, 2010, in which I asked the question: Is it a done deal that the University of Pittsburgh will receive permission for its dormitory expansion plan on Oakland Avenue in South Oakland?

Long before I wrote that letter, many individuals inside and outside of our community said that it was a done deal and that I would be a fool to try and do anything about it. But I was willing to be a fool, not foolish, in the pursuit of what I believed was right.

It is inconceivable to me that Pitt’s 10-year Master Plan and, in particular that expansion, would be granted approval without an in-depth, honest, and comprehensive Impact Statement. This Master Plan will have a profound effect on our community for generations to come.

The attached letters to Councilman Bruce Kraus and Councilwoman Theresa Kail-Smith concern the issue of Pitt’s Homecoming Week fireworks display.

Is it legal for the University to have a fireworks display in close proximity to our neighborhood? The fireworks are detonated from Mazeroski Field which is within a 100 yards from homes and adjacent to a tree-filled city park hillside. That hillside could easily be set on fire, or a rooftop could catch on fire from misguided fireworks. Must we wait for a tragic accident to occur before changes are made?

No private company or individual would be granted permission to detonate fireworks from Mazeroski Field. Why has Pitt continually been granted permission?

There are 10,000 Pitt faculty and staff members. Don’t you agree the University can find a more creative alternative for its celebration other than jeopardizing the safety and health of our community? We don’t need the shock and awe of this misguided event in the midst of our neighborhood.

Please forward these letters to Mr. Mike Huss, Director of Public Safety. Our community would appreciate knowing from you or him what actions the city will take concerning this matter. We look forward to the response.

Sincerely,
Carlino Giampolo