City budget could doom iconic Veterans Day parade

<p>Petaluma’s shrinking budget could soon claim another victim — the city’s annual parade honoring military veterans.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>City officials say they can no longer afford police overtime and other expenses connected to the Nov. 11 event and have asked a veterans group to pick up the tab.</p><p>But officials at American Legion Post No. 28 say they can’t cover it, either, in part because the city has stopped its subsidies to the organization.</p><p>Steve Kemmerle, post commander, said unless a private donor comes forward with $12,500, the Veterans Day parade likely will be canceled.</p><p>“If we can’t pay the city we can’t have a parade,” said Kemmerle, a Vietnam-era veteran. “It’s that simple.”</p><p>The change comes as cities all over Sonoma County slash budgets to make up for dwindling tax revenue.</p><p>In the fiscal year that began July 1, Petaluma laid off 10 employees and eliminated services to balance a $36 million general fund budget that was about 10 percent smaller than last year’s spending plan.</p><p>With its reserves gone, the city will need to be reimbursed for any additional expenses, including police and Public Works employee support at the parades, City Manager John Brown said.</p><p>According to a city memo, the cost for six officers, a sergeant and other police services to handle the parade that draws up to 7,000 people would be nearly $5,000. Barricade and sign installation plus other security would be an additional $7,500.</p><p>Brown suggested the vets adopt a shorter parade route to reduce costs or start fund-raising.</p><p>“This is money we really don’t have,” Brown said. “We have to ask people to offset these costs.”</p><p>Other cities in Sonoma County seek reimbursement for similarly sized parades. Santa Rosa sends a bill to organizers of the Rose Parade and Sebastopol passes along costs to Apple Blossom officials. However, the cities also provide the groups with annual subsidies that cover the events.</p><p>Petaluma doesn’t give the American Legion any money. The group has in the past received a small share of hotel occupancy taxes. </p><p>This year, the city expects to divide about $180,000 in hotel taxes between organizers of the Butter & Eggs Day parade, hosts of a popular 1950s cruise event and the visitors center, City Councilman David Glass said.</p><p>With a smaller pot available this year, the city allocated the money where it would get the best return, Glass said.</p><p>“They are part of the fabric of this community and are part of what generates revenue,” Glass said. “It doesn’t mean they are more worthy of support. I have to look at this in a cold-hearted way.”</p><p>Veterans said they were getting short shrift.</p><p>Rich Granger, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Petaluma, said many of his 250 members risked their lives for the country and “shouldn’t have to pay for a parade to themselves.”</p><p>“It’s a sad state of affairs we’re in when the veterans can be chopped,” said Granger, a Vietnam veteran. “It cuts deep.”</p><p>Kemmerle, whose group has run the parade since 1989, said the American Legion shouldn’t be asked to draw down its small bank account to pay the city. Many of its 280 members are World War II veterans who are too old for fund-raising. </p><p>“People are dying,” Kemmerle said. “We’re getting smaller.”</p><p>If the city insists on being reimbursed, the parade featuring 900 participants and airplane flyovers could come to an end. </p><p>“Patriotism isn’t what it used to be,” he said.</p>