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.

The parade was started in 1986 and has attracted an estimated 50,000 people to see a retinue of up to 150 floats, bands and other participants.

David Black, president of the Capital Regional Economic Development Corp., said bars and restaurants will lose business as a result of the cancellation.

"It's just a nice chance for people to come into the city, maybe have lunch," Black told The Patriot-News. "A little further erosion of conditions in the city."

[Aidarouss]

Jesus (Peace be upon him) will give a thump up to this. He will also love to see all the crosses on the churches removed and would like to tell the world that the cross is a symbol of falsehood since he was never crucified.

"And because of their saying: We slew the Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, Allah's messenger - they slew him not nor crucified him, but it appeared so unto them; and lo! those who disagree concerning it are in doubt thereof; they have no knowledge thereof save pursuit of a conjecture; they slew him not for certain.

004.158
But Allah took him up unto Himself. Allah was ever Mighty, Wise.

004.159
There is not one of the People of the Scripture but will believe in him before his death, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be a witness against them" Qur'an 004.157 - 004.159

[Hutterite]

This is a new one for the supposed 'war on christmas' bunch.

[barbaram99]

They are canceling a holiday parade..Parades are nice--but they cost money to put on.
Christmas to me is the same every year. A tree I use and reuse every year. A simple dinner. A card or 2. Nothing fancy..
Chistmas is one day..One year I did not put up my tree.
I did not feel like it.
Christmas is one day--Dec 25th. If the city wishes to cancel Christmas parades etc as there are no funds for such. Have a simple Christmas one can aford..Sharing the day with friends and family is what Christmas is.
I am in Seattle.

[formerusmcsgt1]

City officials have canceled the Nov. 19 event...
-----
A Christmas parade before Thanksgiving?

Sheesh.

[djseavy]

Move them all to Minnesota. Our state is bankrupt due to rolling out the red carpet to those "in need" that grace our state. We have people coming in from all over the US because they know welfare is easy to get. If you're an illegal immigrant, so much the better. The welfare agencies can't ask about your citizenship status anymore. Unless you're a native Minnesotan that gets squat, everyone else gets heafty handouts.

[Jenna1955]

After losing my job this year, I might have to cancel Christmas too.

[OnTheRoad01]

When will we all learn? Things cost money! The 'People' demand that the governmental body (no matter the level, local, state, federal) provides things (parades, police protection) but then they complain when the bill comes due! So many people feel that these 'Things' are just paid for by the governmental body and that it should 'Not' cost the individual anything!

[pon115]

Their not canceling Christmas- their canceling a --- parade!

[sandiegopete]

As I wrote earlier, the municipal governments gave up sales and property taxes to lure big box stores and now they don't have sufficient tax revenue. Who would have thunk it?