the parade idea is ridiculous.if the mayor want's a parade he should pay for it. everyone should stop pay taxes,no taxation without representation.I did not vote for a parade.The mayor should fix the money problems not create them.Look at his track record

Frank - I hope you were taking notes when Slick Tony V. was doing his tap dance about soliciting and getting (a few hundred thousand $? several hundred thousand $?) from private sources and hoping to get more.

Taxpayers should expect him, as Mayor, to direct that the costs for the parade be fully documented; city, private (other than Lakers and AEG), Lakers, AEG.

Frank - I respect you as a journalist, despite your current employment, so I hope you will follow up on learning who paid for this parade (since it seems it is going to occur) and reporting on that in the interest of taxpayers.

rediculas...thats all i can say...la is lakertown...parade on.

Amen Patty......your right on....

I hope that anyone who thinks the City should spend even a dime on a celebration for these million dollar dribblers will be okay with any "closed" signs they find when they go to a city office to get a permit, go to a library, or any other office. That they don't mind when waiting for a 9-1-1 dispatcher because some are sitting home on furlough.

The only reason Mayor V wants a parade is so that he can wave from a car with that swarmy smile. Very two face for someone insisting that city workers should "share the sacrifice."

If the Lakers want a parade, let their organization pick up the entire tab including any collateral damage.

These ignorant ingrates had their parade last night!!! They looted a business, striping it of EVERY bit of inventory, destroyed CITY PROPERTY, terrorized a neighborhood and endangered citizens!! HELLO?!?!? The moment the buzzer ticked to 0:00, I thought to myself, "let the rioting begin!" and I was correct as always! I'm very thankful that I live in OC and do not have to put up with this brand of hooliganism, because that, MR. MAYOR, is what it is!!!!!!!! Bet the team was beyond RELIEVED to be in Orlando last night....

The mayor is trying to help, but we should address the ability of the police to defend people and property. They should be allowed to shoot rubber bullets and arrest any offenders, without the fear of the city being sued for brutality. The idiots knew they were breaking the law, they should be punished.

It's sad when some people try to ruin things for everyone else by starting problems, vandalizing stores and city property etc. Alot of us are in hard times right now. Losing our homes, sometimes not having food on the table.But what in comes down to is not always about the money. It's about family we all need to have fun and forget about our problems if it takes the Lakers winning and bringing the excitement back so be it. Maybe the state should think about donating the coliseum or only charging at cost,and the city ask for volunteers. The people of LA need to come together, if our children see this maybe they won't think so much on whats happenning. This is good for the state of California not just LA.

I hope the city/county will not spend $1 million to organize another looting session. Too bad the police can't enforece law and order without the fear of law suits and punishments/lay-offs. We all want peace but we still want to pay for the congregation of unrully fans. Apologies to millions of nice, orderly level-headed Laker fans.

If the city can't afford to hire more police and fire department personnel and have to layoff hundreds of city employees. Then we can't afford a damn parade. If the Laker's want a parade, let them pay for it. They sure in hell make enough to do that. And having a parade is not going to lift my moral any. It's only going to do is tick me off more than I am now. Mayor "short stack" shouldn't write checks that the city can't cash.

the lakers should have a parade. the city may be in trouble but we could use a parade for a boost. plus the city spend millions of dollars for a monkey habitat on a monkey that were not even getting, at least with the parade you know that were not spending the money on nothing.

Not every taxpayer of LA needs teachers, yet I still get to pay taxes that contribute to their salary.

My children went to private schools so why should I pay for teachers and quite frankly I am sick of payiong to educate other peoples children.

Quit your belly aching they are having the parade.

Since the Lakers are paying for the venue and I am sure fans will bring/or buy their own drinks/refreshments, the organizers should look for entertainers willing to perform for free and save $1m for education, infrastructure and security. Better still, let 100 rich fans donate $10,000 each an save the county/city employees the agony of pink slips.

I personally don't care whether there's a parade or not. I understand the fans want to celebrate the Laker win and that's fine with me.

But what I don't get is... WHY our broke city is footing half the bill?

SHAME ON THE LA LAKERS for not paying the whole bill themselves. They make money hand over first with merchandising and etc. They pay their players millions of dollars. They can certainly afford to pay for their own victory parade!!

Call on the LA Lakers to be socially responsible and PAY for the entire parade themselves.

We need our teachers and police more than a victory parade. Not every LA citizen is a sports fan but every LA citizen needs police and teachers!

Fans that destroyed property are NOT Laker fans.

What about the ones that were caught on tape? How about the ones that were arrested? They should clean up the city and after the parade.

They should use that million dollars to repair all that was broken last night....Metro blue line train, Metro bus, police car, resident cars, stores looted....on and on....there's your parade....was it really that fun?!?! Great way to show your pride in your team!! ...stupid... LA's reputation just keeps getting reaffirmed to the rest of the country.....

I think that it is totally uncalled for to have a parade in this economic time. My father works for the city and is now being forced to take twenty six unpaid days off. That equates to four months of house payments. Of course the mayor wants to have a parade his pay hasn't been cut.

I agree with Razor, no parade.Or let the lakers foot the entire bill. no like they can't afford it.Im going to post to Mayor Villiaragosa on twitter , lets see if he responds.

I attended previous Lakers parades, which we very special and no major problems. Currently I have mixed emotion, due to there are others whom, are celebrating for the wrong reason by destroying property and looting.
There are those who are definitely sincere to take part in a citywide celebration with no incidents. People smell the coffee, did you notice, the parade does not start from the New Downtown LA to the Staples center. You can't blame them. Personally after last night, It may even double the cost and it may not be worth having the parade. It may cost the city losts of money,if damages do occur. I understand it going to be first come/first serve once the parade reach the Coliseum for a rally. Everyone knows, that alone will not work, those who don't get in may find others ways to celebrate. I say if they going to have it keep out the streets and business area keep it in the Coliseum.

I drafted this letter to the Mayor Of Los Angeles, but had difficulty submitting it due to a computer network glitch:

Dear Mayor,

I understand that you are in a difficult position in that you have tough decisions to make, but why would you agree to pay $1 million for the Laker parade when we are in such difficult economic times?

Unlike many of your employees who are having their work days reduced, I am fortunate enough to be able to make ends meet, but I do try to keep my thoughts in perspective and have empathy towards my fellow citizens in that many of them are struggling beyond belief, many of them as the result of decisions you have made in reducing the days they work to serve the wonderful City of Los Angeles.

During the times when my husband and I are unable to put money towards "wants" (such as vacations, shopping, etc.), we have to cut back because the "needs" take priority. Why does this not apply to the Laker Victory Parade?

Please have the Laker organization foot the total bill for the event. After all, the parade is a luxury during these tough economic times, not a privilege.

Respectively,

Lena C.

Hey if the Lakers want to throw a parade for their fans,let them. They have made millions of dollars off the fans of this city, time to give some back.

How much in bonuses do you think the coachs and players recieved for winning? If each of them tossed in 1-2% the parade is paid for and then some.

Michael,your right.
My bad,i'll just stay here in the "armpit" of so.cal. on my 3ac. of horse property where my nearest neighbor is 200 yards away and shut my mouth. After all i could live in L.A, where there is a soup kitchen on every corner,skid row,streets i wouldn't dare walk down at any hour of the day,freeways running thru my back yard,air i could see as i take each breath,noise pollution,sub-part education,10 yr old gun toting elementary students,etc.etc.etc...And as for the cheap seats...I'd rather castrate myself with a dull knive than watch basketball. Your right,i'll stut up now.

Have the parade.
Plain and simple.
Cancelling it or not having it at all, will not save the budget. Years of bad fiscal management here in both L.A. and up in Sacramento have caused the deficit, not a Laker celebration.

Most local parades need the assistance of sponsors and donations to put on their civic events, so why should this be any different? Someone suggested (Paul I think) that a portion of ticket costs collected thoughout the season from the entire league could be used to offset the cost. Afterall, it is marketing for the N.B.A. and i'm sure they would want positive marketing i.e. a smooth event and paying for city expenses would help promote a positive celebration for the league, the winning team, and the host city. In the same thinking Christy proposed charging each fan $10 to enter the Colossium. Great idea! They could take advantage of
the large video screens, sell a few concessions, a fun celebration that would help pay for its own. Eliminate the cost factor and the majority of the complaints would go away. Thus freeing up money to secure more security and policing and the second complaint goes away.
Ok Dodgers - you're next!
-m

They are having the parade so all you cry babies crawl back in your hole and open your wallet.

posted by STOSH. are you kidding me? what about the cost of manufacturing these souveniers? the cost of paying people to clean up after the parade? Not to mention the idiots who caused all that damage last night they might show up again. What will be left over? NOTHING. Do you really think any money should be spent at this time? You talk about the amount of sales tax the Lakers generate, well it doesn't even come close to what society generates. PALEEEESE stop sticking up for these overpayed athletes. Basketball season is not year round. AND JUST FOR YOUR FYI markup on clothing and things you buy at these games and in stores is marked up a minimum of 500% The lakers organization pays maybe .90 cents per shirt and we pay what? at least $20.00 I would rather put food on the table than a Lakers shirt on my back!

Jensen, you live in Hemet so your vote does not count because you do not pay LA taxes so shut up. In faqct you live in the armpit, portable toilet of southern california, Hemet. So shut up and enjoy the view from way past the cheap seats. Hemet could be nuked and NOBODY would care.

as far as annual pay of LA City workers of 2007..

http://lang.dailynews.com/socal/citypayroll/

In the form on the page to do a search under annual Pay select over $100,000 +.

It will come back with over 6000 city employees who make over $100,000..

Michael, your a moron PERIOD! Heres how i see it: If Kobe wants to claim L.A. as "his house",let him and the rest of the players throw a party to thank the millions of L.A. fans for thier support rather than the city throwing them a party for winning. We can celebrate with them,just let the rich ones pay for it!

While as an educator it infuriates me that teachers and programs are being cut as we consider spending money on a parade, even in the aftermath of the ridiculous violence and destruction of last night, I also understand that there are many young people in our classrooms whose lives are touched deeply by the NBA and the players they relate to in a very important way. I think those young men and women deserve to celebrate in a socially acceptable way and it's the city's responsibility to provide that opportunity for them.
Karen Ratliff
Social Studies Teacher
Rio Norte JHS
Valencia California

Its not about the handful of people who rioted, its about celebrating a national championship with champions. Each and every one of the lakers are city heros and if the city has to lay of 50 dolts to pay for the parade so be it.

The lakers going to the finals and having two home games generated a million dollars in sales tax alone. Now I am going to buy a hat and a shirt to support my team along with another million Lakers fans here in Los Angeles if a million people buy hats and shirts at fifty dollars almost five million dollars in sales tax are generated. The support and what have been generated from the Lakers winning are more than worth it for the city to throw a parade for the city and the Lakers guess what in turn it will generate even more revenue and good faith.

Great job Lakers you deserve it this year!

Michael from Sherman Oaks

michael,why are the ones who lost thier jobs/homes idiots? Why should the city pay for a parade for all of the idiots who feel it is ok to destroy public. Use the million dollars to buy another bus to replace the one these scum bags destroyed last night. EVEN A DOG WANT CRAP WHERE HE SLEEPS!!!

It appears that the recurring theme here is that celebrations should be encouraged at a time of recession and depression....however, when families are losing their jobs and homes, school programs are being shut down, the LAST thing that should be done is to use CITY/GOVT funds to pay for a parade for a group of athletes that profits millions and millions of dollars. Congratulations that they won the series. But let's be realistic... the Lakers didn't provide shelter for homeless families, feed starving children, they didn't perform an amazing life saving surgery, and they didn't invent a cure for cancer. How about Angelenos finally start celebrating the people who really matter in society? Basketball players are just that, basketball players, nothing more. And my tax dollars should not be going towards a parade for a sport that attracts fans of the intellect level that was demonstrated last night. It is ridiculous that this is even being discussed.

People loosing their jobs and homes is not the rest of our problem. Why should we all be punished because a hand full of idiots lost their home/ jobs. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Hey Tony (earlier blogger) What a GREAT IDEA!!!

Also even though it will never happen, how about an agreement that the losing finals team pay for the winners celebration. I totally dig this!! Could have them play harder, and it costs the winners NOTHING!! And better yet, if you are the losers, it comes from your teams pocket, not the city that you (supposedly)
represent!!

are you kidding me!?why not give some of that money to the merchants whos business' were looted during this B.S. "celebration"! What about subsidizing the income of some of the layed off city employees! Giving the Lakers and the NBA free public safety services is absurd!Let the Lakers and/or the NBA foot the bill for this.Why should the public pay for a "celebration" when it almost always seems to end in violence of some sort. Just as the Lakers aren't responsible for the damage caused(by the ever increasing number of L.A. scum)during a championship celebration/parade,why should the public be responsible for the fiscal damage to host such an event.I cannot believe that that the citys' governing body feel that this will happen without extreme criticism for the public.

Get a grip it costs each taxpayer in LA county a whopping 20 cents.

Yes there should be a parade. The Lakers are a business that generates millions if not billions annually for the local economy; celebrating their victory with a parade is a small price to pay for the revenue they generate for downtown and beyond.

Yes we can..... The Lakers organization employs many "below the line" employees and provide a huge tax base to our city. As a city we need to take care of the business that are supplying the revenue that is vidal, especially during these times.

I do think the lakers should cover the whole cost, however the city does have a stake in the Lakers, that being all the jobs and revenue created by the Lakers being in Los Angles.

Just like the writers strike.... Oh it only effects them.... no it affected the entire city and does to this day. Revenue is still down from the writers and actors dragging their feet.

One more costly mistake to the city would to not have the Parade. And if any city employee says otherwise you need to wake up and remember who's paying those pay check. It's all of us in the 25%+ tax bracket. All those players pay millions to the city and state while they are playing here in Los Angles.

If we dont have this parade.... You might as well sit home and out your cash under your matress.

Peace

Of course we have to celebrate our sports heroes by having a city parade. I have been lucky enough to go to all the parades when we 3peated against the Celtics long ago. Every young and aspiring boy and girl needs to see that all that hard work and persistance is well recieved and acknowledged. GO Los Angeles and Congrats to our beloved LAKERS!!!!

Thanks players for the 'responsible party in the steets' public announcement..... Great idea....too bad the media showed that AFTER the game was over AFTER the looters and fire starters and taggers and METRO smashers we out the door and on the streets.

Then if/ when they get hit with pepper spray, or shot,or tayzered, they scream police brutality.... take responsibility for your actions. I am tired of paying for other peoples childish behavior. You wouldn't like if if I threw a brick though your windshield, or shot your dog, or lit your van on fire...why is it okay for you to do that to others???

NO we shouldn't.... after looking at what happened after the Lakers victory which was nothing but people acting like a bunch of apes rioting, my answer in NO. Why should we, when YES it is going to cost and perhaps have another riot break out and cost more. Only in LA I live in shame here for the ones that ruin it for the rest of us. "NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POER OF STUPID PEOPLE IN LARGE GROUPS"

Yes I think it should be a celebration but it doesn't have to have the stupid violence that goes on throughout the city .............People please respect the city that you live in.

I have too many friends that have lost their jobs. It is hard to believe that basket ball players only need to make a few slam dunks for millions of dollars while my friends with masters degrees are struggling to put food on the table. The Lakers association needs to pay for the parade if they want to have a parade. I doubt that everyone who lives in L.A. is a Lakers fan. Los Angeles has more important things to pay for.

Frank,
Fans riot, no parade. we cannot reward poor behavior.

I cannot believe the lack of priority coming from the Mayors office and those that support this!!! These players won a game- not a war. The war here in LA is against Meth, against gang violence, against the looters, and the punks that rioted and started fires after the win. How can Mayor V even consider paying for a party for a bunch of guys that us LA as the backdrop for thier home, but could move when thier contract is up? Where is the COMMON SENSE?!?!? If there is a party,it sould come as a gift from the team themselves to the city-- after all, $2M for a 3 hour party is pocket change for the players. This city's priorities are upside down- if we were in Washington trying to justify this with the feds, we would have the same SHAME and reflections of idiots that head the Big3 that came begging for money in their private jets.

How many people can a million dollars feed?

How may people could get medications they need?

How many people could have a shower and a change of clothes?

Think. Throw your own party, Lakers. I try to support you, but this is just plain stupid.

You just hope these people don't have children. We have to stop the madness.

Not all lakers fans are gang members stopped sterotyping ben

I believe that the Laker Celebration should go on! But with some monetary alterations to the plan. Back in 2008 when the Dodgers played at the colesium over 115,000 people attended the game. Now we all know for a fact that the number of parade goers will be much higher than that number and if we charged each person going into the coliseum rally a measley $10 then the 1 million would be easily covered by the time it reaches its max capacity. And yes I understand people would rather not pay for a public event but we all know we're in a deficit and if you can afford to attend a parade in the middle of a work day you can afford to spend $10 to celebrate your city and its team! And if your complaining that due to the economic struggles you dont have $10 to spend then its simple ... go to work and dont play hooky! LAKERS!

Absolutely not! Sorry Lakers, if you want a parade pay for it yourself. People are losing jobs and Basketball players are making millions. Lakers should pay for all the damages that were done by there inconsiderate fans. And the people shown on the news should be found and fined. Congratulations Lakers!

I think we should have a parade. However, I don't think we should be extending the normal route. If the Lakers want to pay for half this year then decrease the proposed length, have it at a smaller venue. I don't understand why ALL major sports don't contribute to the cost. After all, it is their product that is being promoted and celebrated. As for the organizations not having the funds, why not have 1/4 of a cent from each ticket sold throughout the season from every team contributed to a general fund for this. Only the NFL may not reach the $1 million dollar mark due to its short season.