"Money woes apt to keep public off Tall Ships; City, group still don't have security deal" by Stephanie Ebbert, Globe Staff | May 29, 2009
The Tall Ships are still coming to Boston in July, but the public probably won't get to see them.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday that he has not been convinced that the organizers of Sail Boston 2009 can cover the estimated $1.1 million in public safety costs and other services for the five-day nautical event. "Show me the green," Menino said yesterday.
Okay, I got some ideas:
Governor Guts State ServicesPigs at the State Trough
A Slow Saturday Special: Statehouse Slush Fund
Hollywood S***s on Massachusetts
Biotech Giveaway Was Borrowed Money
How many times I gotta put 'em up?
Without a public safety agreement with the city, Sail Boston 2009 will not be able to invite the public to the ships or to the piers where they dock, said a spokesman for the nonprofit organization.
"The ships would still need to be accommodated since they're still coming to Boston," Scott Ferson said. "For the visiting ships, they would be confined to a limited number of piers with locked gates."
I'm sorry I'm such a bitter coot, but.... :-)
Organizers tried to muster more corporate sponsors for the event, whose fund-raising has flagged in tough economic times. Fearing that the mayor's rejection would dash any hopes of enticing sponsors or ticket sales, Sail Boston even sent emissaries to the mayor to try to rally his support.
Menino acknowledged yesterday that Paul D. Foster, a friend of the mayor and a Reebok vice president who serves on Sail Boston's board, presented him with an offer: Sail Boston would pay the city $250,000 upfront, with a promise of $500,000 later. The proceeds of ticket sales would pay for the rest. But the mayor said he could not take a chance on the money not coming in....
He said that to his friend? He's worried about reelection!
Related: Boston Mayor Can't Take the Pounding
After the Tall Ships event in 2000, the state did not reimburse the city for the public expenses of putting on the spectacle, which typically boosts state tax revenue through meals and sales taxes but does little for city coffers.
Yeah, I know, it actually costs the city taxpayers (see links below)!
This time, Menino has asked Sail Boston to provide the money for public safety upfront.
"Paul is my friend. I trust him. But this is using public money," Menino said yesterday. "I would love this to happen.... But I cannot take a chance like I did several years ago when people promised me the money and it never came."
Hey, HOW DOES IT FEEL, mistah mayah!!!????
The five-day nautical festival, planned for July 8 through 12, was originally expected to draw at least 27 ships from around the world and millions of spectators to Boston....
The mayor could not invest in a sailing event as the city was laying off teachers and other workers....
Oh, yeah, that would have looked real bad!!!
The ships might be visible in Boston Harbor, but they would have to dock at the Fish Pier or Black Falcon Terminal in South Boston, where there would be no public events or access.
The Massachusetts Port Authority, which owns the piers, has also tried to get upfront financing from Sail Boston and would not accommodate the ships without the cooperation of city officials.
Yeah, wouldn't you know that those pricks would have to try to get their cut?
"We have worked closely with the City of Boston in planning for this event, and we cannot foresee the possibility of a public event along the waterfront without the active participation of the City of Boston," said a statement from Massport.
P.S. Where's the check?
--more--"
Mayor Menino Sinks Boston's Tall Ships
Boston's Tall Ships Tacking and Jibing
South Carolina Shows Up Massachusetts
Oooh, that last one hurts; also turns out interest in the ships is waning.
