Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, back from his African vacation, hit back on critics who criticized the city's expenses that were incurred for Michael Jackson's memorial service at Staples Center last week.
"This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period," Mayor Villaraigosa said. "The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."
Excuse me, Mayor, but Michael Jackson was a private citizen and most private citizens pay for their own funerals and the security motorcycle escorts that accompany funeral motorcades. And what the hell does "world-class city" mean? It is also the city's responsibility to provide police and fire protection.
The city is heavily in debt, and to expect taxpayers to foot the bill for Jackson's funeral/memorial services is grating. Jackson's family are millionaires, so they should pay for their own funeral expenses.
Villaraigosa also criticized the website that was set up by his own staff to raise money to defray the city's costs. $35,000 dollars in donations from about 1,800 people has been raised to date. Villaraigosa called it a "ridiculous" move.
The cost to the city has been estimated to be from $1.4 million to $4 million.
I heard a tape recording of Villaraigosa's remarks yesterday and he was rambling and virtually incoherent.
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