LAKE RONKONKOMA – After months of planning and debate within the community, the fireworks show for May 30 over Lake Ronkonkoma has been cancelled.
Sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip), the show was originally slated for Memorial Day Weekend to revive the age-old tradition of fireworks over Long Island’s largest freshwater lake.
However, the community pushed back against the show. Veterans said that Memorial Day Weekend is a somber occasion not typically celebrated with fireworks, while the greater community gave concern to chemical contamination of the water from the fireworks and disruption of nearby eagles’ nests.
The cancellation ultimately came down to Islip Town Code 37-58(B), which prohibits motorboats and propeller-driven vessels on Lake Ronkonkoma. The Lake bottom is owned by the Town of Islip. The fireworks barge, which was set to be launched and operated by Fireworks by Grucci, would not be permitted on the Lake. The Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum was also one of the organizers for the “Salute to Our Fallen” event.
“From the beginning, our goal was simple: honor our fallen heroes, support the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum, and unite our community in remembrance and patriotism as we approach the 250th Anniversary of our Nation’s founding,” said Legislator Bergin in a statement. “Throughout the planning process, we worked closely with regulatory agencies to address every concern raised. To receive approvals from the DEC and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we moved the fireworks barge away from the nearby eagle’s nest and complied fully with all requests. We also agreed to move the event from Memorial Day weekend out of respect for concerns raised by others.”
Bergin added that she “deeply regret[s] the disappointment” of the cancellation.
“I sincerely apologize to Michael Murphy’s parents and family. My commitment to honoring our heroes and serving this community remains paramount.”
However, Bergin countered that Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter’s (R-West Islip) “interpretation” of the Town Code “could now jeopardize” the Lake Keeper Program, a position created by the County for a specialist to study and remediate the Lake’s quality, as that program, according to Bergin, “regularly uses a motorboat to monitor and study the Lake.”
“In addition, the Suffolk County Marine Dive Team operates a motorboat during its dive training exercises. Inconsistent application of this code raises serious questions about fairness and selective enforcement,” said Bergin.
