Jersey City, New York fight over fireworks

JERSEY CITY, N.J., June 13 (UPI) -- Jersey City officials say the New York City Fire Department used an 1834 treaty to force it to move its July 4 fireworks onto land.

The treaty between New York and New Jersey gives New York State jurisdiction over all the waters of "the Bay of New York." That means Jersey City had to get approval from the fire department for a fireworks barge off Liberty State Park.

The fire department was willing to give permission, but only if the Jersey City show started at 8:50 p.m., the Jersey Journal reported. Officials claimed any later start time would interfere with the gigantic show sponsored by Macy's.

"There's always competition, but Macy's, maybe they want to be the only one on stage," said Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy. "Maybe it's an ego thing."

If the weather is good July 4, full darkness only arrives at about 9 p.m. So Jersey City has decided to set off its fireworks from the park at 9 p.m.