Fiscal Crisis and the Mummers Parade (salaries, live, stats)

[lititzman2003]

Let's face it, no matter Mayor Nutter did to try to balance the budget someone would be upset with him. Based on what I know it seemed like he came up with the best solution possible. No, it's not fair to take money away from the Mummers but he didn't lay off any police or fireman or raise taxes.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

Let's face it, no matter Mayor Nutter did to try to balance the budget someone would be upset with him. Based on what I know it seemed like he came up with the best solution possible. No, it's not fair to take money away from the Mummers but he didn't lay off any police or fireman or raise taxes.

Yea people here got their priorities screwed up...it's all about parties to them.
They'd rather probably have cops laid off so they can have their little party and have people fall victim to more crime the rest of the year.
Another example is the Phillies win...they could care less if the city burnt down,as long as everyone's having fun!

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

Let's face it, no matter Mayor Nutter did to try to balance the budget someone would be upset with him.

Philadelphia certainly is a city of special interests and preserving your fair share (even when it's not fair to someone else).

I heard some Mummer or another on the radio last night complaining about the city's cutbacks because it was a hobby for the Mummers and they don't have a lot of money.

I've got lots of hobbies, dude, and other than providing some open park space for walks and picnics, the city doesn't pay for any of them.

[andreaspercheron]

Personally speaking I can't believe they are making all of these budget cuts which include closing down some free libraries but are thinking about paying a ridiculous amount for the Mummers to continue their yearly tradition. I just think the whole thing is ridiculous. Tradition or not, these are tough times, the people of Philly are suffering with budget cuts and we are actually considering giving money to the Mummers for their prizes. Sad for sure. Again, just my personal opinion and since I don't live IN Philly, I am glad I don't have this to deal with.

[lititzman2003]

Most you probably know by now that the city has agreed to kick in, I think, about $300,000 this year for the parade but the well is dry for next year. The Mummers are now going to ask for donations. I admire what the Mummers do, and I know I could never put the time and energy in preparing for the parade. It must be a calling for them. I do enjoy the parade and look forward to seeing it every year. A former high school classmate of mine is captain of the South Philly String band.

However, I question how the city can unexpectedly find thousands of dollars to support the parade yet can't scrape up any money to keep the libraries open. 300 grand would at least keep one library open a few months longer. I respect Rep. Brady but I would hope he'd spend more time lobbying to keep libraries open and fire units operating then worrying about the parade. Some traditions can't last forever, and postponing the parade for one year to help the city get through its financial crisis won't result in the world ending.

How about corporations sponsoring a library?

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Philadelphia certainly is a city of special interests and preserving your fair share (even when it's not fair to someone else).

I heard some Mummer or another on the radio last night complaining about the city's cutbacks because it was a hobby for the Mummers and they don't have a lot of money.

He wasn't calling in on the sports talk station here was he? That's where those guys go to whine about unimportant things...

But I agree about the hobby thing and no money...that's why I always tell them to get a LIFE instead of just a hobby

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by lititzman2003

Some traditions can't last forever, and postponing the parade for one year to help the city get through its financial crisis won't result in the world ending.

Saying that is blasphemy in Philly! It's been a tradition for these lose...I mean locals for generations. They just as soon sell their first born than to give up the biggest party day of the year for them! There would be bigger chaos than one of their sports teams winning for the year! For those that are familiar with the area,imagine thousands of drunks milling around with nothing to do!
A couple options would be for them to scale back the elaborate costumes etc for the thing(some of those costumes cost hundreds to thousands!),they also rent all the rental trucks for miles around to carry all that stuff...just scale back. They could also cut back on the 'prize money' for the thing.
On a grand scale the parade is not much more than entertainment for the locals,where else do you see it on national TV like the Macy's Parade or whatever other ones they have on New Years. Even then I'm sure people wouldn't miss a couple extra balloons in their parades

[Pilot1]

I was born on Broad Street and watched the Mummers go by out of our front window. And, I still don't "get" the Mummers. However, its a great Philly tradition that the rest of the country thinks is very weird. I'm glad they can have the parade though. Maybe it should revert to how it started. People walking from door to door drinking and celebrating.

[StuckPA]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Maybe it should revert to how it started. People walking from door to door drinking and celebrating.

They do that every chance they get in the city...New Years is just a culmination of it

[Icy Tea]

I hope they have collection centers during the parade where spectators can give a dollar or two to offset the cost overruns. I think that's the least they could do although the idea of prize money is one whose time has past.