MASSENA – Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier and Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray are asking St. Lawrence County residents to buy local if they decide to purchase fireworks-type devices this year to celebrate Independence Day.

“As we prepare to celebrate the Independence Day holiday, many of us are making plans for events such as family get-togethers, camping trips and backyard barbecues,” Currier and Gray said in a joint statement. “Some of us will undoubtedly decide to purchase some sparkling devices for personal use as allowed by a recent change in New York State and St. Lawrence County laws.”

People may have noticed a number of tents popping up around our community as out-of-town vendors come to take advantage of the new laws by selling the devices here.

Those vendors will then take their profits with them and will not have re-invested anything into the Massena community, the email said.

Meanwhile, a local company, Majestic Fireworks, has been operating in the St. Lawrence Centre Mall for the past few months.

“You will probably recognize their name as they have provided a number of fireworks shows in Massena and surrounding communities over the last few years,” they said. “They are undoubtedly selling the same products as those offered in the tents of the out-of-towners.”

However, there is one huge difference in the two types of businesses: the local business provides jobs for local people; they draw additional shoppers to the mall; and help ensure its viability into the future, the email said. Additionally, the mall pays property taxes, generate sales tax that benefits St. Lawrence County and local governments, and hires local contractors for maintenance and repair projects.

Currier and Gray said local businesses also support our schools and charities while employing our friends, neighbors and family members. An out-of-town vendor does none of those things.

Out of town vendors pay no local taxes, they do not hire local people and they give virtually nothing back to Massena.

“They are here for a few days, draw lots of money out of our communities and ride back to their home bases with wallets thick with local cash,” the email said.

“While we will not attempt to tell folks how and where to spend their hard-earned money, we will politely request and suggest they support local businesses over temporary out-of-town vendors,” the statement said. “Whether you are buying Fourth of July sparkling devices, a new car or items for your home, we feel it is always best to support local businesses whenever possible. Each dollar you spend in a local business turns over many times in our community and benefits us as a whole.”