Emails contradict explanation to cancel July 3 fireworks [Video]

For more than a month, Milwaukee County officials waited to publicly disclose the decision to cancel the popular July 3 fireworks, all while staff quietly developed a plan to handle the expected negative response and what at least two officials described as a “reputational risk,” according to emails documenting the concerns and strategy.The emails are among more than 200 records provided to 12 News Investigates through the Wisconsin Open Records Law, and reveal an earlier timespan than initially reported by 12 News between when the decision to cancel had been made and the late Friday afternoon announcement to the community on Memorial Day weekend.The decision was reached between Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith, according to a Milwaukee County Parks Foundation Board of Directors Executive Director Report. The report was listed in an April 22 email as a confidential attachment ahead of the …