HILLS

A stray firework or two shoots off in the middle of the night, signaling the end of Independence Day weekend. Shortly after, the Hills City Council met for their regular meeting on Monday, July 8 at the Hills Community Center.

The focus of Monday’s meeting was led by the public and directed towards the Hills Town & Country Fourth of July celebrations; specifically, what they were lacking. Despite the huge turnout at both the parade and firework show, residents and attendees noticed the absence of loud sirens and big, yellow trucks. The Hills Fire Department released a statement on July 4, announcing their decision not to participate in the parade due to an incident that occurred during last year’s parade where a neighboring fire department was “verbally berated” by the group who put on the parade, Hills Town & Country.

This led to the residents’ concern in the city’s handling of the situation. The Hills Fire Department is funded by the city and a mediation between the department and Town & Country would arguably make sense to be mediated by the city.

One resident, Amber Hanson, expressed her disappointment in how the discourse has or has not been handled, saying, “It’s been a year, and it has not been mediated”.

Mayor Tim Kemp remained neutral to the comments, clarifying that the city of Hills itself does not run the events, it is volunteer organizations like Town & Country. Kemp mentioned meeting with a representative from Town & Country to discuss, but there will be no “resolution” because it is not official business.

The Hills City Council will convene for their next regular meeting on Monday, July 22.