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How is the St. Patrick's parade different from the tall ships?
By adamg on Wed, 05/13/2009 - 8:54am
That imp McCrea is at it again, this time asking why the city fully pays for the police and clean-up costs associated with the annual Southie parade, but wants the organizers of Sail Boston to either pay all those costs up front or have the boats come into harbor at night, when nobody can see them.
Of course, it has absolutely nothing at all to do with the fact that Tom Menino and Sail Boston organizer Dusty Rhodes hate each other.
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Comments
great point especially since the Southie Parade is bigoted
This is a great point, and one I have wondered about especially since the South Boston parade bans gays and lesbians from participating. It is embarrassing that Menino thinks an exclusionary party is more worthwhile for the city than an event that draws people to the harbor, something that the Mayor contends is a goal for the city.
While I agree there is a
While I agree there is a double standard, it sounds like Sail Boston isn't without fault also.
The city footing a 1Mil bill that it was told was taken care of is bad. Worse is when Sail Boston has done nothing to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Some here before said that Paddies Day Parade people foot most of the public safty bill; anyone got more info on that since it seems others say the city picks up the tab?
The event should go ahead; the city should not spend money on it
There is no reason for the city to spend a dollar on this event, but there is also no need for any of that money to be spent by anyone. The event should go ahead as originally planned, and the city should act as if the event isn't occurring.
Err ...
Sorry, but I don't think having several hundred thousand people congregating in one place with no added police patrols, added EMT coverage, etc., is the best of ideas.
Well, at this point, it's more like several thousand people, given that it's probably way too late to ramp up marketing for it, but same idea.
The Volvo Ocean Race at Fan Pier
seems to be able to handle large crowds effectively (at least this past weekend when I visited) with no visible police presence.
did you read the post? He
did you read the post? He called the city:
"The City confirmed that we the taxpayers pay for all the police and fire details and the cleanup."
paying those fees are just a part of living in a big city...
I wonder how much the City of New York shells out to pay for every single NYPD officer to be in uniform during New Years? And thats a thing that I would never want to go to. Although more people might be comming to NYC to spend money, the principals are the same arent they?
NYC is different
NYC does get sales tax and income tax for people who work in the city. These events generate money direct to the city. Local options taxes would be great - but only if they offset property taxes so the taxpayers can keep a lid on total spending (Boston is already second in per capita spending of the 25 largest cities in Mass - behind only Cambridge and ahead of Brookline and Newton).
Yea but...
its also 10X as much to live there because of those taxes isn't it? Property taxes are also insane down there.
In the end, we are talking about a redistrubution of tax money back to where the taxes are being paid I guess. (the state gets the tax money from boston, but doesn't necessarily give back the same amount to the city)
The American Dream Dusty
The American Dream Dusty Rhodes?
In a word: No
But I keep wondering if she pals around with Smoki Bacon.
Or, if she ever leaves the safety of Towson, MD...
...Mink Stole.
I think Dusty would be able to handle the security part....
I Don't Know - Maybe Not If...
... Ric Flair is in town!
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
don't worry suldog....
There is a plan in place in case Flair shows up!
I'm not sure it's that "they hate each other"
From the column:
Looks like a pretty good theory to me.
As to why a mayor of Boston would support a St. Patrick's Day parade, I think that's self-explanatory.
The unanswered questions I see are whether it is in the interests of the city to stick its neck out again for Sail Boston, and whether (as Abraham suggests) there is way to make Sail Boston happen with low risk to the city.
If everyone takes a small piece of the pie
Sail Boston makes some money on this from sponsors etc. The city makes money on jet fuel excise taxes and hotel room fees and the state makes a fortune on incremental sales taxes. Divide the pie - roughly proportionally - say 10% to sail boston, 20% to the city (hey I'm a resident and I was planning on having guests in for this - don't my tax dollars count for something?) and 70% to the state - and everybody makes money or breaks even and walks away with a great event. Unfortunately, sounds like there are a lot of egos in the way. This should have been a simple negotiation that took place years ago.
As McCrea points out with the St. Pat's parade example - we need some consistency in policy and I wouldn't call taking care of your buddies consistent policy (interesting though to see that Rhodes personally contributes $500 annually to the mayor's election campaign-is this a real fight or are they trying to twist the state's arm - the state really doesn't want to lose this event as they are the big winners). My guess is - the state caves and Menino declares himself the winner of the food fight - only problem is the city has egg on its face and who would want to get involved in this kind of mess going forward.
Il Duce issues orders
Good point about the different standard - you could say the same about most large public events in Boston, they don't pay. And they shouldn't have to, unless strictly commerical.
One thing from the Abraham column:
WTF? Menino has no say over freedom of navigation in the harbor, that's a federal function.
And think about it, he wants the ships to slink in at night, lest some people at Castle Island derive some pleasure from their passing.
I wonder if thats Meninos
I wonder if thats Meninos plan for the St. Patrick's day parade next year. One (strictly heterosexual occupied) float at a time, at 4 am.....
How about the city picking
How about the city picking up the tab for the Caribbean festival, the Puerto Rican Day parade, the gay parade, etc., etc., etc.