PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
8
options
 
Thursday, June 10, 2010

Council Votes To Override Nutter's Parade Bill Veto

After months of haggling with the city over who should pay for parades and special events without reaching a resolution, City Council just voted to override Mayor Nutter's veto of legislation that would require the city to pick up police costs for parades and special events.

The vote was 14-3, with Councilman W. Wilson Goode Jr., Curtis Jones Jr. and Jack Kelly opposing the override.

The bill's sponsor, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who has been trying to work out a compromise with the Nutter administration, called for the override vote. Nutter last week vetoed the legislation, saying the city couldn't afford to shoulder those costs.

Quinones-Sanchez expressed frustration this morning. "I voted for a tax increase. I gave this mayor $100 million dollars. After nine months, the administration has not been able to come to a fair resolution," she said.

Nutter announced in 2008 that the city would start charging for police and sanitation costs related to special events, due to financial constraints. It was a controversial announcement, particularly to the city's ethnic parades like the St. Patrick's Day and Puerto Rican Day parades.

In a letter to the administration this week, Quinones-Sanchez said that, based on police data, the 72 neighborhood and ethnic events in the city last year cost the city less than $200,000. That does not include the Mummer's Parade. She wants costs to be divided between the city, the organizers and a new non-profit created by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady to help cover parade costs.

That fund - the Greater Philadelphia Traditions Fund - was awarded $500,000 by philanthropist H.F "Gerry" Lenfest. It will provide aid to the Mummers and ethnic parades and festivals.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 11:23 AM  Permalink | 8 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 AM, 06/10/2010
    It's not mathematically possible that 72 "neighborhood and ethnic events" could only add up to a total of $200,000 in cost to the city for police, streets, and sanitation, which includes portapottie rental, placement, and removal. The police and sanitation all draw overtime as well for this, so let's be real. The cost is more like at least approaching the double digits in millions for all 72 events. Let's also count when the neighborhood submits complaints after the events to remove bulk trash left by vendors, such as spent cooking grease and oils, and the rest of the sanitation and alley sweeping. It's a significant cost.
    — CleanupPhilly
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:04 PM, 06/10/2010
    All parades should be paid for by money raised by the groups who participate in them. The Councilwoman's figure of $200,000 seems ridiculously low. Frankly, the only three parades with any citywide draw are the Mummers, St. Patrick's Day, and Columbus Day festivities--and the latter two appear to be fading somewhat.
    — tomfox
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:08 PM, 06/10/2010
    Sanchez gave the mayor $100 million? Wow I didn't realize that she had that kind of loot laying around. Oh wait, that money belongs to the property owners of Philadelphia. I believe the FRESHMEN councilwoman is very full of herself.
    — kbjc72
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:09 PM, 06/10/2010
    If you want to hold a parade then pay for it. Very simple comcept and something we need in this budget crisis the city is in.
    — sykesl19119
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:14 PM, 06/10/2010
    This is a major embarrassment for the administration. It demonstates the lack of relationship between the administration and council. Council took a big risk voting the tax increase although the smacked down the sugar tax. This was one that he should have let go. This is the first look at a lame duck period beginning. This administration has to find a win.
    — ruserious
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:14 PM, 06/10/2010
    I was once a bleeding heart liberal, but now err more in the center. Quinones-Sanchez said, "I voted for a tax increase. I gave this mayor $100 million dollars". So, the entitled City Councilwoman believes that we all should pay for parades? I'm getting mighty tired of City Council dipping into my pockets for items that are not a necessity. This is ridiculous. I'm voting republican for any City election from this point forward. She voted to raise my taxes and then spend it so we can have a parade. Sheesh.
    — PotteryPete
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:19 AM, 06/12/2010
    Anybody with a hearbeat and the briain of a mouse could replace Sanchez in the next election.
    — ritaf


8 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
 Follow Chris on Twitter

David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
 Follow Dave on Twitter.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
 Follow Catherine on Twitter

Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
 Follow Jan on Twitter



Share your tips

Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com

Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com

Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
Advertise Here