It is ironic that the upcoming February 16th Centennial Ball to be held at our new public Casino has a theme where the elite in 1922 were
doing very well and didn't bother to think about the people who couldn't afford
the fancy beaded gowns, expensive suits, rag top automobiles and speakeasy
parties.
Fast forward to 2013, the year of our city's centennial, and we
begin the festivities with the formal inauguration and grand opening
festivities at our municipal ballroom with Ferris wheels and most likely cotton
candy and a sold out crowd of 300, most having paid $75.00 per ticket plus whatever it would
cost them to rent a costume to fit the required Gatsby/Zoot suit attire to be in
harmony with the celebrated theme of this grand event.
Those
of you who were at the commission meeting recently heard me make a humble
request to raffle off or gift via lottery one or two tickets so that at least a
couple of our residents for whom I am sure would have loved to have attended but
could not afford to spend $75.00 plus at least another $75.00 for costume rental.
The commission was quick to state they didn't host the event. Really? That did not have to stop them from at least stating they would make an attempt
to approach the committee who did plan this and ask them for this concession.
Brings
me to my closing point...My personal opinion is that we are falling short
of sending the message that we care about ALL of our residents not just the
more affluent ones in our city. Many of our senior residents who would
enjoy a 1920's themed event mostly live on fixed incomes and could not afford
the stress that a $150.00 incidental expense would cause to their budget.
I wonder if anybody thought to gift some tickets to some of the residents of Lake Worth Towers, I hope so. I hope a comment gets posted saying "Mark, you spoke too soon we donated X amount of tickets to residents of Lake Worth Towers or a Senior Care Facility operating within our city." One of the few times I HOPE I am wrong about something, I really want to be wrong on this one.
I wonder if anybody thought to gift some tickets to some of the residents of Lake Worth Towers, I hope so. I hope a comment gets posted saying "Mark, you spoke too soon we donated X amount of tickets to residents of Lake Worth Towers or a Senior Care Facility operating within our city." One of the few times I HOPE I am wrong about something, I really want to be wrong on this one.
Just
because it's a fundraising event doesn't mean there isn't value in the good
will created by my suggestion. I dare to suggest it outweighs the
monetary benefit of the sale of one or two tickets.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Parrilla
Sincerely,
Mark A. Parrilla
17 comments:
Well Mark, Why didn't you take on raising the money to by tickets and give them out to deserving residents.
You had no trouble raising money for a retired fireman from Lantana.
Do you know what retired firemen retire with,Did you find out if they had fire insurance? They gave the committee a job to do and they did it. You could have been on that committee but chose not to. So stop pointing that righteous finger of yours.
Is this the same person who drove by Mrs. Waterman s home after she lost her campaign for Lake Worth mayor and yelled out his window for her to get out of town, or something to that effect? Then he goes on a local blog to brag about it? Is this the guy? Stay classy.
While Mr. Parrilla is well intentioned and has a nice idea, I believe he misses two key points in his post.
Did he contact the Centennial Committee with his thoughts after he found out the City was not running the event? If he did not he should have. If he did what was their response?
Does he realize that this event is a fund raiser in order to help the Committee to produce other "inclusive" events and projects? These types of fund raising events are by nature expensive so that all the costs are covered and money may actually be generated for the organization.
Again I think it is a nice idea, but I think he has not looked at the broader picture.
Personally, I think Mark had a great idea. It was not up to him to pursue. I have never seen an event of this type that did not have a number of free gratis tickets. Mark's point is well taken with me as this Casino belongs to all of us, not just the "well heeled."
As usual misinformed anonymous people making the loudest and most obnoxious noise. The retired fireman was retired from Pratt Whitney. They have their own private fire fighters and his pension is 1,100.00 a month they were forthcoming in providing their proof of income. No insurance, they were renting and could not afford insurance. This is not my first time at this kind of rodeo. I have been helping people out for as long as I can remember and in so many diverse situations. So I don't just jump into a situation without carefully and comprehensively researching and evaluating all the variables. It is the City's ballroom and just because they are not running it doesn't mean they couldn't have done something. I put my money where my mouth is I will be up there volunteering to help the City who isn't running the event? Will you be volunteering? Don't bother responding, I am pretty sure of the answer!
If I have to get attacked for thinking about other who are less fortunate then so be it! I will stand with my head up high and once everyone is done casting their aspersions I will collect them all and save them to put them out on bulk day with the rest of the trash.
Expressively,
Mark A. Parrilla
Lynn,
Got to disagree with you on that point. If you have a great idea it is incumbent on you to follow up!
That's why I posted he should of gotten in touch with the Centennial Committee.
A great idea without follow up is just a great idea, nothing more!
as this Casino belongs to all of us, not just the "well heeled."
Actually, the ballroom belongs to those who rent it for the amount of time they contract it for. If the City or The People have a say in what goes on there then it's socialism!
the Centnnial committee is not renting this ballroom. If it were actually being leAsed and under contract per se, than what you say is true. That's not the case in this situation.
The way I see it is if they can raise money from those who can afford the price of a ticket and a costume (by the way from what I hear most are going to thrift stores or their own closets for their get ups)to provide many events that are pretty much free, than this is a non-issue.
Time to stop the pious hand–wringing and move on to more important issues.
This is a city function and they could have given a ticket to a few poor people. Instead, they gave away tickets to those who could afford to buy them. Their right. Some of the people actually attending did not want our casino and still fight the idea of it to this day.
Mark Parrilla posed a legitimate question. Because the commission decided to ignore it and pass the buck does not make his concern "pious hand-wringing." It was a great idea--a drawing to give away a ticket to one resident who could not afford to attend--the publicity would have done world's of good for Lake Worth. Why do you have to demonize him for a nice thought?
Maybe because he is a pious arrogant
fund raiser with other peoples money.
Always there to take the credit.
I believe there is some confusion here. The event on 2/16 is not a city sponsored event, but a fundraiser for the Centenial committee, not a 1920's dress, but a "blue jeans to tux" event. Funds raised will help sponsor free centenial events such as the Cultural event in March and the May Pioneer picnic at the Scottish Rites. The Centenial committee is also trying to raise funds to replace the clock at the beach. The 1920's event is a couple of weeks later, I believe the tickets are 50, and it is sponsored by the city. just a FYI!
F.Y.I. Anonymous February 3, 2013 8:39am. Since I incorporated Genesis, every penny that has been spent on Genesis other than the two grants I wrote and was awarded by Palm Beach County and a $30.00 donation from Mr. Thrasher, has come out of MY pocket. Thank you for your compliments. The projects I have been a part of that you are aware of are not even half of what I have done and continue to do for people behind the scenes. By the way anonymous you forgot to mention in your compliments to me that I maybe a pious arrogant fundraiser you forgot QUITE SUCCESSFUL fundraiser WHO WILL NEVER STOP helping others! God bless you.
Lynn I thank God for people like this because they are living examples of what I strive not to be!
unpiously and humbly yours,
Mark A. Parrilla
Is it possible to get some information from the committee on all that is on the horizon?
I do not believe that Mark was confused here. Referring to it as a 1920's attired event was for emphasis on the irony. He asked a question about a drawing for a free ticket for a resident of the community who normally can not afford extra expenses/luxuries. He was shot down.
The "little" people now will be included in some future event? :)
You may be able to get information on events from Betty Resch's facebook page as she has been a major organizer of the Centinel. And it is unfortunate that some are feeling left out of events, but the fundraisers do provide the money to offer other events, that include food, entertainment, and hopefully some education, at no charge to the public, the money to put these events on has to come from somewhere. And I think it is a disparage to use the term "little" people. And as a side, I know Mark, he may not have alot of money to donate, or buy fundraiser tickets, but he donates a tremendous amount of time to improve his community, definately not a "little" person!
Well, this was all about allowing one person to win a drawing for ONE ticket to be able to go to this event. You would think that Mark was asking for a million bucks. Using the word "little" is much better than vilifying someone and saying that they are "arrogant," "pious hand–wringing" or worse. Are there more important issues? You betcha, but again, it was ONE LOUSY TICKET. Sorry this caused a sore spot with some of you. And since it stung a little, perhaps you can see some merit to his question.
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