Slippers in the balance

by Lorraine Gennaro

South Philly Review 12/6/08

Funding for the Mummers’ Parade made the mayor’s list of budget cuts but talks are in the works that might save the day.

Born and raised on the 1800 block of South Broad Street, where he still resides above his family practice, 69-year-old Dr. Joseph Pandolfi hasn’t missed a Mummers’ Parade in all his years. And, as long as he’s alive, the decade-long honorary member of the Quaker City String Band intends to keep the tradition going despite Mayor Michael Nutter’s disappointing news that has many wondering if the 108-year-old tradition is in jeopardy.

According to Nutter spokesman Doug Oliver, it costs the city upwards of $1 million to fund the New Year’s Day parade. The support is twofold: City services, such as street cleanup, police and fire/medics account for $700,000, and prize money in the amount of $350,000. Under Nutter’s budget cuts, funding for all parades — not just the Mummers — would be withheld, Oliver said.

“The city can no longer afford to donate these services starting Jan. 1, 2009,” Oliver said. “We recognize that the Mummers’ Parade is in a unique timing situation and it falls within only a few short weeks of when we made the announcement. We are in ongoing conversations with the Mummers to determine what, if any, support the City could provide for a scaled-back parade.”

Currently, the spectacle is an all-day event that spans Broad Street from Washington Avenue south to City Hall — time- and distancewise far longer than any parade in the city, the spokesman noted, adding shortening it would impact costs.

George Badey, publicity director for the Philadelphia Mummers Association, told the Review he is aware the city wants the parade trimmed back and that’s just one thing to be discussed, in addition to a Hail Mary play on his part by way of an impact study that could restore funding — he hopes.

“Everything is in flux right now until we sit down with the mayor and go over everything. We want to cooperate with the City and we’re sensitive to their needs and concerns,” he said.

An economic impact study showing the effect of the Mummers’ Parade on the city was submitted to the mayor and Gov. Ed Rendell Nov. 26. Declining to release specific numbers until officials reviewed the material, Badey, a 20-plus-year member of the Fralinger String Band, said the parade generates a substantial amount of revenue, not to mention tourism with folks coming to town for the parade and spending on hotel stays, shopping and dining. The millions of dollars the performers spend on their costumes annually are spread out regionally and the rent and ownership of their clubhouses and other storage facilities pads Philadelphia’s coffers, Badey believes.

“We established that the Mummers are an economic plus. They bring money in instead of take money out,” the Center City lawyer who grew up at Seventh Street and Moyamensing Avenue said.

Badey and Downtowners Fancy Brigade Mummer Bob Galvin from 11th and Wolf streets echo the sentiment of many in the clubs who understand the city is in bad shape and Nutter is not to blame, but feel the show must go on.

“We understand the reason for the cuts,” Badey said. “We understand it’s a worldwide economic crisis that is far beyond the mayor’s control. I wanted to talk with [Nutter and Rendell] about getting the revenue replaced from the city or state or other sources. We’re hopeful that once they’ve had a chance to review [the study] they will sit down with us and work out solutions consistent with everyone’s concerns.”

Galvin, 71 and a 45-year Downtowner, added, “the City is in such a situation and what can we do about it? It is what it is. I feel sorry for the condition that it’s in, but we’re still going to parade and my organization will be there [Jan. 1] and we’re hoping for the best for all the other organizations. We’re looking forward to bringing some entertainment to the public.”

Dr. Pandolfi agreed: “Mayor Nutter is not responsible for the shortage of money. This was something that was due to his predecessor. It’s not his fault that we have a shortfall of money right now and we have to cut back.”

Every year Pandolfi and wife Bernardine host an open house for close to 100 family and friends to eat, drink and watch the parade. This year is no exception as the retired doctor eagerly awaits Jan. 1 when his five children and five grandkids, some of whom live in Washington Township, N.J., will gather for the festivities. One of the youngest, Pandolfi’s 4-year-old grandson Christopher, wants to be a Mummer.

“He does the strut and knows all the songs,” the doctor said.

Keeping the time-honored tradition alive is important not only for those who engage in Mummery but for the fans, many lifelong like Pandolfi.

“We’ll find a way,” the medical professional said. “If people donate money, stick together and work together we can get the funding to keep this parade going.”