UPDATE ON FIREWORKS LITIGATION AND CANCELLATION OF LAKE MURRAY 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES

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July 3, 2012 (Lake Murray) –Many of our readers have contacted us asking for more information on the Lake Murray fireworks situation.  We received the following e-mail today from Navajo Events, confirmation cancellation and providing an update on the status of pending litigation:
 
The Lake Murray July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks Committee has regretfully decided to not hold the fireworks display over Lake Murray this year. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of the liability exposure which the event would produce and the possibility of litigation directly involving the Committee. It was based on the continuing litigation by the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation (CERF) and its lead attorney, Marco Gonzalez against the City of San Diego and the La Jolla Fireworks Foundation.

On June 14, 2012, CERF III and IV were heard by Judge Dato in SD Superior Court Dept. 67. His tentative ruling was for CERF. After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Dato ruled in favor of CERF and Marco Gonzalez. His ruling was based on the City not completing a Programmed Environmental Impact Report prior to amending Muni Code Regulations for Special Events Permits. The City is appealing these two cases, in addition to CERF I, which they lost in August 2011.
 
Given this new information, the Committee chose the prudent option of not proceeding with the event this year. We will consider the possibility of holding the event in 2013, if the courts rule in favor of the City and it becomes feasible to do so. If it is, we hope the community will provide early financial support for this historical event and help to keep it a free, fun, family event in our local park.
 
For more updates about the Music Fest and Fireworks and other events in our area, please visit www.navajoevents.com. While you’re on the site, consider signing up for automatic e-mail updates about all the listed events in the Navajo Communities. The Music Fest Committee (Don, Jay and John) again thanks all who supported the event.

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