Phila. bill would cap parade costs

Mayor Nutter is not happy about the legislation.

Caption: St Patrick’s Day Parade Director Michael Bradley

A Philadelphia Councilwoman has introduced a bill to cap the costs for parade organizers in the city. Last year, the city stopped paying for such city services as cleanup from parades and police details, laying that responsibility on the organizers. [audio: 100311TMPARADE.mp3]

Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez says volunteer groups can’t afford to pick up parade costs, so she wants to put a cap on how much they pay.

Quinones-Sanchez: We’re talking about four thousand dollars for festivals and about $7500 dollars for a parade.

That’s a far cry from the $40,000 the city wants to charge the St Patrick’s Day Observance Association for its parade this Sunday. Michael Bradley is the Parade Director. He says the parades generate hotel stays and brings visitors to town.

Bradley: I think we have to pay something and I’m willing to pay something, but I’m not willing to pay the whole bill.  Where do we get any kind of benefit for bringing business into the city.

Mayor Michael Nutter was upset about the bill, saying the city can’t afford to pick up parade costs when facing a $150 million dollar deficit.