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Mayor Nutter's grim budget cutting plan slashes city funding for a beloved Philadelphia tradition -- the annual Mummers Parade, held each year on New Year's Day.
The city has cut $355,000 that it gives to the Mummers for prize money -- a cut that will apply to the next parade. And George Badey, publicity director for the Philadelphia Mummers Association, said the Mummers are not happy about it.
"It’s drastic to say we’re going to give them no prize money after 108 years," Badey said. "It’s sending the message that they don’t care about us and if the Mummers went away it doesn’t matter."
The prize money covers only a fraction of the costs that clubs incur to participate in the parade. A string band could spend up to $100,000 to compete in the parade and the top prize it could win is about $9,700. Still, Badey said they were promised the money. He said Mummers leadership hopes to talk with the city soon about the decision.
"I would hope the city would sit down and openly acknowledge the importance of the Mummers to the city," Badey said.
Another issue for the Mummers is who will pay police overtime costs on parade day. The mayor's budget plan says the city will be more rigorous about collecting overtime costs for special events. But the mayor's press office said it hasn't been determined yet who will pay for the overtime for the Mummers Parade.
The city has cut $355,000 that it gives to the Mummers for prize money -- a cut that will apply to the next parade. And George Badey, publicity director for the Philadelphia Mummers Association, said the Mummers are not happy about it.
"It’s drastic to say we’re going to give them no prize money after 108 years," Badey said. "It’s sending the message that they don’t care about us and if the Mummers went away it doesn’t matter."
The prize money covers only a fraction of the costs that clubs incur to participate in the parade. A string band could spend up to $100,000 to compete in the parade and the top prize it could win is about $9,700. Still, Badey said they were promised the money. He said Mummers leadership hopes to talk with the city soon about the decision.
"I would hope the city would sit down and openly acknowledge the importance of the Mummers to the city," Badey said.
Another issue for the Mummers is who will pay police overtime costs on parade day. The mayor's budget plan says the city will be more rigorous about collecting overtime costs for special events. But the mayor's press office said it hasn't been determined yet who will pay for the overtime for the Mummers Parade.
Posted by Catherine Lucey @ 4:15 PM
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File Under: Nutter | | Nutter | 153 comments
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thank god Nutter smartened up, the Mummer free ride is OVER, time to cancel this farce once and for all
YOU SEE WHAT YOU'VE DONE OBAMA
NO SOCIALIST LOVE FOR MUMMERS
What is Nutter going to do next? Levy a surtax on cheesesteaks and pretzels. Sheesh!
Oh thank god, we can only hope the mummers up and quit because there is no money.
The Mummers' should have been off the city payroll long ago!
there's lots of lower profile things you could cut but something like this qualifies as dumb...he just stamped his ticket out of office.
I am ok with the message about the Mummers going away... permanently. That spectacle is stupid and embarrassing.
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"It’s sending the message that they don’t care about us and if the Mummers went away it doesn’t matter."
Yup, that's about right.
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Maybe the mummer's can try to raise money. Hell, you'd think the pubs might help them raise the money.
"I would hope the city would sit down and openly acknowledge the importance of the Mummers to the city," is this guy joking. Watching drunks parade up and down Broad Street on the city's dime is important to people in the city? How about getting off your rear and raising the money yourself. If you dont like it LEAVE THE CITY. We will help you pack!
Every time i go to the Mummers....i hardly see any black folk. So this should not come as a surprise from the black mafia....
If the Mayor wants to cut costs on the Mummers parade than it would only be fair to do the same for all the parades and gatherings. Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, and especially the Greek Picnic. Mummers are a timeless tradition that will continue on no matter what.
Well, being an outsider from Pittsburgh, I've lived in the Burbs of Philly...Elverson/Morgantown, PA. to be exact, for 13 yrs. now. I've watched bits of the parade every year (can't imagine anyone doing the whole thing live...YIKES!) and it eventually gets boring as Hell. I know these people are truely dedicated, but there must be a better way, like parading in the Stadium...Hey, what a great idea!!!
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