Bad News for Laker Fans...Los Angeles officials say can't afford Lakers parade - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-14-2009, 03:23 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers need only one more win to capture a 15th National Basketball Association Championship, but some city officials are already saying they can't afford to throw the team a victory party.

The Lakers have taken a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic and will clinch the championship if they win again on Sunday night, setting the stage for a triumphal parade through downtown Los Angeles as early as Tuesday.

But such a celebration could cost the city $1 million or more at a time when city leaders, faced with a deep budget deficit, were contemplating worker layoffs and cuts in services.

"We can't afford to cover the costs," City Councilwoman Jan Perry told the Los Angeles Times. "How could we make a decision about people's jobs and then sponsor the parade?"

Barbara Maynard, a spokeswoman for the city's employee unions, agreed, telling the paper: "We do not believe its appropriate in this economic climate for taxpayers to be funding a parade."

But Councilman Bernard Parks said he expected the city to throw the parade and pick up the tab.

"There's going to be a major celebration in the city and the likelihood is the city is going to absorb the bulk of those costs," he said. "The city isn't going to have time over the next few hours to negotiate a contract with the Lakers or anyone else."

Meanwhile police officials said they were prepared in case the Lakers win and the victory prompts hooliganism or vandalism, as had happened in the past.

Following last Thursday's Lakers win over the Magic, a group stormed into an east Los Angeles intersection and vandalized cars.

"Fans, having a good time doesn't mean hurting people," Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said. "The Lakers are a sports team, not some kind of a destructive force. And therefore celebrate and enjoy but don't commit and violence."

http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...55C24E20090613

TVFactFan · 06-14-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers need only one more win to capture a 15th National Basketball Association Championship, but some city officials are already saying they can't afford to throw the team a victory party.

The Lakers have taken a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic and will clinch the championship if they win again on Sunday night, setting the stage for a triumphal parade through downtown Los Angeles as early as Tuesday.

But such a celebration could cost the city $1 million or more at a time when city leaders, faced with a deep budget deficit, were contemplating worker layoffs and cuts in services.

"We can't afford to cover the costs," City Councilwoman Jan Perry told the Los Angeles Times. "How could we make a decision about people's jobs and then sponsor the parade?"

Barbara Maynard, a spokeswoman for the city's employee unions, agreed, telling the paper: "We do not believe its appropriate in this economic climate for taxpayers to be funding a parade."

But Councilman Bernard Parks said he expected the city to throw the parade and pick up the tab.

"There's going to be a major celebration in the city and the likelihood is the city is going to absorb the bulk of those costs," he said. "The city isn't going to have time over the next few hours to negotiate a contract with the Lakers or anyone else."

Meanwhile police officials said they were prepared in case the Lakers win and the victory prompts hooliganism or vandalism, as had happened in the past.

Following last Thursday's Lakers win over the Magic, a group stormed into an east Los Angeles intersection and vandalized cars.

"Fans, having a good time doesn't mean hurting people," Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said. "The Lakers are a sports team, not some kind of a destructive force. And therefore celebrate and enjoy but don't commit and violence."

http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...55C24E20090613

There is no way that the Lakers won't have a parade if they win tonight-lol I don't believe it

Brian Damage · 06-14-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLifeAdjuster

There is no way that the Lakers won't have a parade if they win tonight-lol I don't believe it

If there is no money, what can they do? That city is in financial straights right now.

TVFactFan · 06-14-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

If there is no money, what can they do? That city is in financial straights right now.

They are going to find it from somewhere especially since the Lakers are the CHAMPIONS and just won the title-lol

Brian Damage · 06-14-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLifeAdjuster

They are going to find it from somewhere especially since the Lakers are the CHAMPIONS and just won the title-lol

I'd laugh if they couldn't though.

MrCleveland · 06-14-2009, 11:02 PM

L.A. is the home to MANY Laker Fans...and many of them are Hollywood elite!

C'mon, Hollwoodites, make your Lakers shine like stars that they should be!

InspectorExstead · 06-14-2009, 11:33 PM

There still is a parade. After the win, the local news was giving out the information on the parade and times. It's free though...which was surprising.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-14-2009, 11:55 PM

I am sorry to here that there will be no Parade

Schmoopie · 06-15-2009, 03:42 AM

You'd think that the Lakers players could shell out some of their millions to the city so their fans could pay tribute to them. I mean, come on. That's probably a drop in the hat to some of those guys.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-16-2009, 11:30 AM

I wish that they could have a Parade.

06-14-2009, 03:23 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Bad News for Laker Fans...Los Angeles officials say can't afford Lakers parade LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Lakers need only one more win to capture a 15th National Basketball Association Championship, but some city officials are already saying they can't afford to throw the team a victory party. The Lakers have taken a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Orlando Magic and will clinch the championship if they win again on Sunday night, setting the stage for a triumphal parade through downtown Los Angeles as early as Tuesday. But such a celebration could cost the city $1 million or more at a time when city leaders, faced with a deep budget deficit, were contemplating worker layoffs and cuts in services. "We can't afford to cover the costs," City Councilwoman Jan Perry told the Los Angeles Times. "How could we make a decision about people's jobs and then sponsor the parade?" Barbara Maynard, a spokeswoman for the city's employee unions, agreed, telling the paper: "We do not believe its appropriate in this economic climate for taxpayers to be funding a parade." But Councilman Bernard Parks said he expected the city to throw the parade and pick up the tab. "There's going to be a major celebration in the city and the likelihood is the city is going to absorb the bulk of those costs," he said. "The city isn't going to have time over the next few hours to negotiate a contract with the Lakers or anyone else." Meanwhile police officials said they were prepared in case the Lakers win and the victory prompts hooliganism or vandalism, as had happened in the past. Following last Thursday's Lakers win over the Magic, a group stormed into an east Los Angeles intersection and vandalized cars. "Fans, having a good time doesn't mean hurting people," Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca said. "The Lakers are a sports team, not some kind of a destructive force. And therefore celebrate and enjoy but don't commit and violence." http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...55C24E20090613
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-14-2009, 11:02 PM	#6
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,235	L.A. is the home to MANY Laker Fans...and many of them are Hollywood elite! C'mon, Hollwoodites, make your Lakers shine like stars that they should be!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

06-14-2009, 11:33 PM	#7
InspectorExstead Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,902	There still is a parade. After the win, the local news was giving out the information on the parade and times. It's free though...which was surprising.
	__________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

06-14-2009, 11:55 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I am sorry to here that there will be no Parade
	__________________ Who Dat

06-15-2009, 03:42 AM	#9
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	You'd think that the Lakers players could shell out some of their millions to the city so their fans could pay tribute to them. I mean, come on. That's probably a drop in the hat to some of those guys.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

06-16-2009, 11:30 AM	#10
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I wish that they could have a Parade.