Fiscal Crisis and the Mummers Parade (Washington, Liberty: houses, buyers, costs)

[ovcatto]

Any thoughts as the City and the Mummers approach having a meltdown over the money the City says that it can't pay to put on the Parade?

[toobusytoday]

I think it's sad but a fact of life. Moral-wise, I think they should have it because so many people are involved and have worked very hard for the event. But, if there is money in the budget it should go towards keeping libraries and fire houses open. It's a really hard choice for the city to make.

[Pilot1]

It is really a sad day in Philly history if they can't afford to have the Mummer's Parade. Unbelievable. Will selling the Liberty Bell be next?

[solibs]

The parade will happen. It's just grandstanding.

There was interesting article recently about how the city of Washington, DC bears most of the cost for all of the marches, demonstrations and cultural events. That the federal contributions maybe cover 1/4 of the costs of all of the police and emergency services and street cleaning.

Mayor Nutter feels the same way about Philly. That the city is host to most of the big cultural events and bears all of the cost while, for many of them, the audience is largely suburban.

Put another way, my wife works for a non-profit and organized a relatively small event on the Parkway. The police bill nearly doubled from last year even though the event was unchanged. The bill was so big that they almost had to cancel the event.

If the city won't foot the bill for dozens of small events on the parkway that attract maybe 5,000 people then why should the city foot the bill for an event that attracts 500,000 - 1 million spectators?

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Will selling the Liberty Bell be next?

They tried that already about 200 years ago. No buyers. It's broken, remember?

[StuckPA]

Tell the girls to pony up more money for the kitty at their bars.

[ovcatto]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

It is really a sad day in Philly history if they can't afford to have the Mummer's Parade. Unbelievable. Will selling the Liberty Bell be next?

Actually it isn't. In 1931, 32, the City couldn't afford to pay the prize money, in 1934 the City couldn't afford not only the prize money but the parade itself. It would seem to be a bit inconsistent for the City to pony up 3/4 of a million dollars for one day when cutting vital city services which that same amount of money could fund for a year or more.

[Icy Tea]

I don't think the city should pay one dime in prize money but they should be at least willing to pay the police costs and traffic control. The Mummers got pretty ridiculous with those fancy costumes. If they cost so much, why have them? Unless they're willing to pay. Its a good event( well, I think its hokey but its harmless) that brings people in and generations can share in it. Me, I'll be watching The Rose Bowl and eating prok and sauerkraut at home.

[SXMGirl]

I personally love the Parade and look forward to it every year. I have thought for a long time that it needed to be shortened, which will happen this year, and that the parade route needed to be shortened (apparently this will not happen). Mayor Nutter does not want to be known as the mayor who discontinued the parade, especially in his first year. Maybe AIG could provide the funds for the next 10 years. Anyway, the parade participants do provide quite a bit of their own money and the parade is outrageously expensive, but for many of us, the parade is a tradition that we just don't want to lose. There will always be money for the libraries and essential services--it is just grandstanding.

[Pilot1]

Originally Posted by ovcatto

Actually it isn't. In 1931, 32, the City couldn't afford to pay the prize money, in 1934 the City couldn't afford not only the prize money but the parade itself. It would seem to be a bit inconsistent for the City to pony up 3/4 of a million dollars for one day when cutting vital city services which that same amount of money could fund for a year or more.

We're not in the Great Depression of the 30's. This downturn is NOTHING compared to that.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

We're not in the Great Depression of the 30's. This downturn is NOTHING compared to that.

It may not look like the 30's but to me it looks like we're heading there much more slowly this time around.