I am a little late to the party on Mayor Villar’s reaction to the Michael Jackson memorial expenses. While I needed a breather on all the MJ coverage, I decided to hold off a bit, but since TMZ put up a new clip where they ask if the donors for the memorial service will get their money back, I thought that I would share it with you all. Since the taxpayers of Los Angeles are likely going to eat the cost, I think that the donated money should be returned, but I’m still not entirely convinced that the citizens should be paying for the extra police coverage and resources that the Jackson memorial cost the city.
This was Villar’s reaction after having returned from vacation:
With all of Michael Jackson’s wealthy friends, I think that people within the entertainment establishment should help foot the bill for the big Michael memorial. When basic services are being cut, it does not seem like it was a good use of taxpayer money for the city of have had such a visible role in the services. However, I haven’t seen any of the bottom line numbers about how much revenue was generated from the event that day either. So perhaps Los Angeles broke even, but the lack of coordination from the Mayor’s office regarding this issue is somewhat troubling as well. What do you think? Did Villar do right by the taxpayer in this incident?
7 responses so far ↓
1 Sam.B // Jul 20, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I think it’s ridiculous the kind of spectacle the world let be put on when the world is going through an economic crisis, this man was a genius when it came time to make music and will forever be known as the king of pop; however he also molested children and had horrific effects on childrens’ development
2 Anna // Jul 20, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Why should those donors get their money back? Nobody forced them to donate.
As for paying the costs, that’s the city’s responsibility. It would be nice if the Jackson family or the promoter covered the costs, but they are not obligated to.
3 webmaster // Jul 20, 2009 at 7:53 pm
“It would be nice if the Jackson family or the promoter covered the costs, but they are not obligated to.”
Exactly. This is what I’m getting at. While they aren’t obligated to, why not help LA in its time of need? The promoters and/or Jackson’s family are likely going to sell footage of his rehearsals before he died and will cash in on his legacy. It would be nice if they offered to share costs instead of sticking it to the city. They could have had a memorial in Gary, Indiana or the Neverland Ranch for all I care.
I think that some of those who donated via the page set up by City Hall staff were under the impression that the City wasn’t paying for any of it. Again, Villaraigosa would be wise to share the numbers regarding whether or not LA broke even on the event.
4 Anna // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Why would he be wise to share those numbers when it has no bearing on anything? This was a funeral, and the Jackson family are residents of the City of Los Angeles.
5 Professor Y // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:45 pm
MJ’s family will have to pay Debbie Rowe to keep her greedy hands off of the kids. Besides they really are grieving over the MJ’s death. Imagine a mother burying her child as the world continues pimping him in every possible way. Let AEG or whatever the vulture promoter company pay for it. Look at the money they are making pimping MJ after death.
6 Pablo // Jul 21, 2009 at 10:52 am
I just hope when I die there is one hell of a party/memorial billed to the city I’m from or maybe the state. I want there to be plenty of beans, chili, and tortillas for all.
7 Sandogg // Jul 22, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I actually agree with Anna on this one. If you were dumb enough to give limosna to the City of Los Angeles, then guess what? I hope you kissed your money goodbye because you’ll never see it again.
And as far as Villar approving the donation site, I don’t believe he is being up front about this. He was all goo goo eyes with his latest heina over in Africa and couldn’t be bothered with what was happening back home.
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