Aerial fireworks will be the only trappings of Manteca’s annual Fourth of July community celebration that won’t fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.
City Manager Miranda Lutzow is preparing to submit a contract to the City Council at an upcoming meeting for consideration to authorize hiring a firm to conduct an aerial fireworks show.
The Sunrise Kiwanis have pulled the plug on the annual Fourth of July parade. Mayor Ben Cantu said the Manteca Kiwanis — of which he is a member — is likely to follow suit and cancel their Independence Day pancake breakfast.
The reason is simple. Larger gatherings such as parades and sporting events are in the final step of the reopening strategy that Gov. Gavin Newsom is unfolding.
“If I had my way I would have reopened businesses two weeks ago but the city doesn’t have the power to do that,” Cantu said.
Manteca and other cities are barred under law from getting ahead of the state or county when it comes to reopening during the health emergency. Cities can be more restrictive but they can’t be less restrictive.
Lutzow is sending a detailed plan to the county health department and the governor’s office outlining they are ready to reopen businesses and the rules they would impose to assure city safety. It also includes information on the health care system in Manteca that shows there is significant capacity. So much in fact that Doctors Hospital of Manteca has been forced to lay off staff.
“I want to be conservative,” Cantu added. “I don’t want to reopen too soon and make a second wave that’s worse than the first.”
The mayor said the overwhelming majority of feedback he is getting on Facebook shows most people favor such an approach. He said those that want everything opened now instead of a phased approach are a minority among the city’s 84,500 residents.
Cantu noted the COVID-19 pandemic “is impacting everyone” whether it is individuals, families, businesses, non-profits, or government.
The Fourth of July pancake breakfast — a Manteca tradition for more than 40 years — is the Manteca Kiwanis’ major fundraiser. The service club uses profits from the breakfast for community endeavors such as the free Easter egg hunt at Northgate Park they were forced to cancel, scholarships for graduating seniors, and support of youth groups
How aerial fireworks
would happen this year
Lutzow said the city would stage the fireworks over the wastewater treatment plant as they have done in previous years.
But instead of allowing people to gather in large grassy areas such as nearby parks or in the bleachers or grassy areas at the Big League Dreams complex, people will be advised to watch the fireworks from parked cars.
The city plans to distribute a map showing various viewing locations so that people can adhere to social distancing rules.
Assistant City Manager Lisa Blackmon said the hope is to “provide some sort of normalcy” for the Fourth of July in Manteca.
Non-profits chosen in a lottery earlier this year will still be allowed to sell Safe and Sane fireworks. Blackmon noted Phantom as well as T-N-T — the two firms that work with non-profits in Manteca that are allowed to sell fireworks — have developed social distancing rules and signage for booth workers and customers.
Chamber plans
virtual installation
The Manteca Chamber of Commerce still is moving forward with the Crossroads Street Fair in downtown that has taken place for the past 21 years in the first week of April but has been rescheduled to Aug. 8-9.
Chamber Executive Director Joann Beattie noted the chamber has discussed pulling the plug on the rescheduled date but had been advised by the city to wait until July before deciding whether to go forward.
Lutzow said by the first week of July the situation will be reassessed at that time to determine the likelihood the state or county would allow large gatherings to move forward in some fashion.
The street fair is the chamber’s largest fundraiser by far.
If a street fair can’t be held Aug. 8-9 it likely means there will not be one this year. The rest of the calendar for street fairs is booked fairly solid plus a later date would infringe on the Sunrise Kiwanis Manteca Pumpkin Fair that takes place the first weekend in October.
The chamber’s installation and awards dinner that takes place in June has been cancelled. Officers instead will be installed during a virtual meeting.
As for the annual community and business awards, Beattie said they would likely take place at another appropriate chamber event once gatherings are again allowed.
The pandemic restrictions have also prevented the chamber from reattaching 2,400 flags that had been dry cleaned to the 2,400 poles. Until that happens, they cannot be placed along city streets as part of Flags Over Manteca.
2020 Memorial Day
ceremonies impacted
Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Michael Kuznik this week noted the pandemic will lead to the cancellation of public Memorial Day ceremonies throughout California.
“There are still many ways that we can pay tribute to our country’s fallen heroes,” Kuznik noted. “I encourage you to don your patriotic gear, fly your American flag at half-staff, take a moment to reflect on the freedoms and liberties you enjoy and give thanks to those who sacrificed their lives to protect them. Share your gratitude via social media, helping others to remember why we should all continue to be grateful for our great nation.”
Kuznik added that the National Moment of Remembrance is also scheduled for 3 p.m. local time each Memorial Day and presents a chance for all Americans to commemorate the fallen by pausing for a minute to remember those who so humbly gave their lives for the betterment of our country.
“During these trying times, do your best to remind yourself that you are not stuck at home, you are a safe at home,” Kuznik said.
Lovelace Transfer
station may reopen
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is considering re-opening the Lovelace Transfer Station north of Manteca on Lovelace Road to the general public later this month when they meet today at 9 a.m. for a special meeting.
In anticipation of the re-opening the City of Manteca plans to end the complimentary bulky item and garbage drop off out at Northgate Park on May 21. The remaining days for this service will be May 12, 14, 19, and 21 from 7 to 10:45 a.m.
For clarification or any City of Manteca related Solid Waste questions, please contact the Solid Waste Division at (209) 456-8440 or send an email to Solid Waste Supervisor Avneet Mahil at amahil@ci.manteca.ca.us and/or Deputy Public Works Director Peni Basalusalu at pbasalusalu@ci.manteca.ca.us
20 COVID-19 patients
currently in
hospitals countywide
There were currently 20 people hospitalized in San Joaquin County with COVID-19 as of Monday at 5 p.m. That included four people hospitalized last week. There have been 149 people hospitalized in the county since the pandemic started.
There was one more patient admitted last week to an intensive care unit. That brings the accumulative total of ICU admissions since the first of March to 61.
There were three more deaths last week to bring the total to 29.
There are currently 136 people known to have COVID-19 in San Joaquin County. There have been 621 confirmed cases with 485 recoveries.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
