Originally Posted By ecdc CNN interviewed several people today who had traveled from very far for the chance to go to the memorial. Some were from Europe, one was from Mexico. I doubt the tax revenue will be enough to cover the expenses the city is going to incur for this, however. But I still think objections are more about Michael Jackson than they are fiscal responsibility. But, as I indicated, I don't live there. Maybe if I was a city employee required to take three days of furlough...then it's likely I'd feel differently.
Originally Posted By dlkozy >>>"one was from Mexico."<<< Gee, CNN didn't look too hard if all they found was one from Mexico!
Originally Posted By Mr X There are lots of Japanese going, it's been on the news here. Mexico really ain't that far from L.A. either! ;p
Originally Posted By Anatole69 >>No details were given about the actual memorial events, which come as the nation's second-largest city struggles with a $530 million budget deficit. Perry said the cost of police protection for "extraordinary" events like the memorial is built into the Police Department's budget, but she still solicited help for "incremental costs." Last month, donations covered about $850,000 of the city's $1 million cost for the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA championship parade. Critics had blasted the idea of using city money when it is considering layoffs to close its budget gap.<< <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090705/ap_on_en_mu/us_michael_jackson" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200..._jackson</a> Since they are accepting donations, I don't think they will have a problem covering the costs of the police officers. - Anatole
Originally Posted By dlkozy Even if they get enough donations which is yet to be seen, the costs are not just the police officers-do you really expect tax payers to pony up for these millionaires?
Originally Posted By Mr X Sounds like they WILL be ponying up, like it or not unfortunately (unless plans are in the works to cancel the thing..which would lead to riots at this point imo).
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Los Angeles could easily make money out of the deal or even break even if they really wanted to.... Sell T-shirts or CD's at the entrances, charge 20 bucks for parking... Is it wrong? Not really, everyone else is making money off of his death, why doesn't the city do the same?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Let's put it another way folks, imagine the implications if there was not a tribute, or if it were understaffed by police. the costs could be even higher.
Originally Posted By Mr X Interesting that it "must be" L.A., though. Why not Indiana, where he's from (like Memphis was for Elvis)?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Why not Indiana, where he's from (like Memphis was for Elvis)?" The mayor from Gary, Indiana, where they're from, actually wants the body shipped out there for a viewing and memorial on July 10. It's like the body is just some object, like a museum piece or something. In reality, it isn't holding up too well. The coroner did their basic embalming, which gets you about a week. Another was performed, but, well, what's done is done. It's been described as viewable, but.......
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "Since they are accepting donations, I don't think they will have a problem covering the costs of the police officers. - Anatole" I don't know if you're missing the point, ignoring it, or don't understand it completely. While there is a budget for "extraordinary events", the city of L.A. right now is so far in the hole they're not going to be able to avoid laying off people across the board, police and fire included. I don't know if you've noticed, but L.A. doesn't celebrate anything quietly anymore, it riots. For events, they now have to plan that way, even for a funeral. The last thing L.A. needs is less police. When it comes time to budget crunch, things like extraordinary events take a hit before people lose their jobs. This extraordinary events budget only exists right now because they haven't finalized a new budget. States, cities and counties everywhere are having to completely re-think how they do business. All this tax revenue you think is going to be generated because of this funeral simply isn't going to happen, and even if it did, there's no way to guarantee it all gets funneled back into LAPD's budget. As someone else said, the area around Staples Center on Tuesday is going to be blocked off and shut down that day. How does a business make money that way? As it is, it is going to disrupt traffic greatly that day, incurring extra collateral costs to people and businesses that WON'T be recovered. PLus, LAPD has already said if you don't have a ticket to the funeral stay away or be arrested. How does that generate business? As for donations, if they get enough donations that cover the entire nut, ensuring that LAPD is not out of pocket one thin dime, then great. But that's been the problem so far, not too many people are stepping up. Unless someone like Elizabeth Taylor, Berry Gordy, or some other Jackson ally steps up, it's going to cost the city. Moreover, they'll need to write a blank check, because the costs won't be known for a while. Maybe more than anything else, P.R. wise, this is a nightmare. This is all occurring in a time where Schwarzenegger has just imposed a third furlough day on state employees. State, city and county offices across the state are now shut down anywhere from one to three days during the week, depending on who, where and what they are. The courts are also shutting down one day a month, and it might soonbe more. The domino effect from all this will just cost more money in the end to catch up, increasing the insanity over the entire statewide budget debacle. Then this Jackson funeral/debacle pops up in the middle of it all. Santa Barbara, as I said in another post, already flat out said no to everything. To make matters worse, this is caused by a person/family who have made more money than most of us can possibly imagine, and they're saying they're broke too. And for icing on the cake, the father, Joe Jackson, well, it is impossible to exaggerate how much of an a-hole he's been behind the scenes. NO ONE wants to do this guy ANY favors. People got a glimpse of his demeanor when he promoted his newly formed record company after Michael's death. It's no longer a joke to say the wrong Jackson died. It has become the fervent wish of a lot of people. He thinks EVERYTHING should be comped, from the medical bills to the funeral expenses to Staples and everything in between. He even wanted to charge "rights fees" to outlets covering the funeral, like it was the Super Bowl. It is all just incredibly bad timing moneywise. Two to three years ago, this wouldn't be an issue. It is exactly the type of extravagance we've been told can't be covered anymore, and then they go ahead and cover this one anyway.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin I'm hearing that you all think the family has made this such a circus. If one looks at the first coverage of this death you'll see that before he was even pronounced there was a massive crowd of people surrounding the hospital, I'm sure the family didn't put them up to that. All the people who are camping outside the family home, Neverland Ranch and the Apollo Theater in NYC. There would be be mobs where ever he went in life, same holds true in death, for some reason. I don't recall anyone complaining about extra policing costs in association with the crowds that waited out side the courthouse back in 2005. I was never a huge fan of the guy, but there are people who were, and their taxes pay for emergency and civic services that are provided for everyone. As far as budget shortfalls are concerned there is enough blame to go around, but attacking this family during their time of grief is pretty low.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "As far as budget shortfalls are concerned there is enough blame to go around, but attacking this family during their time of grief is pretty low." If you'd like, I can tell you crap about Joe Jackson, Michael' body, where it's been, and everything that he wants for free that would make your head spin.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I'll sum it up- Joe Jackson is a lot of things right now, but one of them definitely is not in grief or mourning over his son, unless it's the loss of a meal ticket.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt I tend to agree. The family is planning a private memorial that they will will no doubt pay for. I think the Jacksons are easy targets for criticism, and often rightfully so, but I don't see this as one of those times. Let the public say their farewell to MJ and foot the bill.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder "I tend to agree. The family is planning a private memorial that they will will no doubt pay for." Think again. Joe Jackson is adamant about NOT paying for it, and he also wants perks, to boot. He wants Forest Lawn to donate the plot or a mausoleum, plus an extravagant coffin, plus comp the family the space the body has taken up and all the upkeep to maintain it as presentable. Plus the service and all attendant costs.
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Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I don't really feel Joe Jackson represents the family." You took the words right out of my hands as I was about to type the same thing. It's doubtful that Joe Jackson has any sway over the Jackson family. Why do you think MJ left everything to his mother and his kids and not one cent to his crazy father?
