PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO FREE REPUBLIC TODAY OR BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO DONATE
Posted on 10/21/2011 5:04:45 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Bankrupt Harrisburg, Pa. cancels Christmas
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Santa Claus isn't coming to town this year for Pennsylvania's financially struggling capital city — at least not to its annual holiday parade.
City officials have canceled the Nov. 19 event because organizers were not able to raise enough money. The parade needed about $25,000 in financial support, but donations have fallen far short, parks director Brenda Alton told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg.
"We had one letter of commitment and one verbal commitment," she told the newspaper.
The city's traditional fireworks on New Year's Eve are also at risk, with a final decision a week or two away.
Mayor Linda Thompson said she hopes the parade will return next year.
The Harrisburg City Council filed a rare bankruptcy petition a week ago, and this week the Legislature passed a new law that will give Gov. Tom Corbett power to assume financial decision-making authority for city government.
Pa. capital files for bankruptcy, roiling mayor
"Policy was put in place a year ago to ensure that all special events are zero-tax-dollar events," Thompson said.
Bah, humbug!
Bah, humbug!
The headline does not square with their not holding a “holiday” parade on November 19. What in the world has that got to do with Christmas?
I have to ask this...
was the annual Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Hispanic Handicapped Female Muslim event similarly affected?
This is bull.
If these people want a Christmas celebration and a parade, make it happen. How much does it cost to have carolers on corners and people selling hot cocoa? How much does it cost to have someone voluteer to be santa and be sitting in a waggon.
They dont need dollars. Volunteers can be santas and elves and make fun floats.
I am so tired of the high production value. For Pete’s sake, be creative. Stop waiting for someone else to do it. think you might get out from behind your tv and actually think!
Well, they could do that...but...the cost of the parade permit would be prohibitive. LOL No way the city, broke and all, is gonna waive the parade permit fee, no way. And, besides, your idea just makes too much sense as it’s far easier to complain about something than it is to work around the obstacles and make it happen. Complain to media and hope some corporate sponsor feels sorry enough to take on the financial burden - the new American way.
Complain to media and hope some corporate sponsor feels sorry enough to take on the financial burden - the new American way
How embarrassing and humiliating that this country has become such a wreck.
I wonder if they’ll ever raise taxes on Colt 45 malt liquor? Just sayin’.
I wonder if they cancelled sharia events?
Apparently, they hadn’t heard that the RAT party & their lefty merchants, cancelled Christmas several years ago!
Just went to the city’s website. If they have their budget info online, I could not find it.
In Harrisburg, my friend, the Amish really ARE Amish.
I disagree completely. If the residents and businesses of a state capital with a population of 50,000 can’t come up with $25,000 in the form of private donations, then there’s no reason to stage the event. Case closed.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO FREE REPUBLIC TODAY OR BECOMING A MONTHLY DONOR
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE ABOVE TO DONATE
I don’t live in PA, haven’t for a very long time, but I’ve been reading about the problems in the state capital and something about a scandal over a Republican who mis-spent money.
ping
I'm certain that One or three hundred of the Churches in the area will
step up to the plate, so long as the city doesn't get sued by the ACLU.
If the city gets sued then, nobody has Christmas again until the GOV says so..
Did I miss anything?
That’s too bad.
Harrisburg, the capital building and the river all make wonderful parts of the Christmas feeling.
Just beautiful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.