The West Indian Day Parade is a cultural institution in New York, when millions turn out along Eastern Parkway to see the steel pan bands, the feathered dancers and the floats blasting reggae, calypso and soca music. The breakfast attendees include influential Caribbean-Americans, including businesspeople, heads of Caribbean cultural organizations and church leaders. It's a valuable speaking opportunity for politicians.
"It's very bad. You can't accommodate everybody," Howard told The Huffington Post. "I'm emceeing, and you've got 50 staff members sending cards and notes up to me that so-and-so is under the tent, and can he get two minutes on the podium.Find the perfect leather or synthetic cell phone cellphone cases. It gets complicated."
The complications don't just end when the politician gets on stage. Getting him or her off is often a harder task that produces its own set of stresses, Howard said.
"Once you've given an elected official a mic, it's kind of hard to have them move," he said. "If an elected official starts going on too long, I stand right behind him and start pulling his coattails."
Politicking happens at all of the city's big parades -- St. Patrick's Day, Puerto Rican Day, Gay Pride -- with candidates looking for a prominent spot in the march or a chance to speak. But the Labor Day procession in central Brooklyn is New York's largest. That the celebration falls just days before the mayoral primary election on Sept. 10 only amplifies its significance.
"There is a lot of politicking going on at the West Indian parade -- from where everyone is sitting at the breakfast in the morning to where camps are lining up to march," said a Democratic aide who worked on a previous citywide race.
All of the major Democratic candidates for mayor are expected to march this year in the West Indian Day Parade, including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and ex-Congressman Anthony Weiner.
Last year, Quinn was one of three grand marshals for the parade. In 2011, there were four grand marshals, but sources said WIADCA cut the number to two this year to avoid the possibility of bias before the election. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who is not running for his position again due to term limits,Series cases for iphone 5 protects against drops and dust.expensive version of Replacement parts for iphone 5 screen Supply Store. and musician Christopher Bowe, aka MC Wassy, get to wear the marshal sashes this year.
Like an engaged couple deciding the seating arrangements for their wedding, parade organizers have to carefully choose the order that the politicians get to march.
"This year,Find the trendiest ladies shoes wholesale including stylish wholesale sandals. because everybody is running against each other, nobody wants to be near each other," said a WIADCA official.
Parade organizers charge a minimum of $200 for groups to march -- a nominal price for candidates who raise upwards of $4 million for the mayoral race. In past years, Howard said, some politicians sidestepped the registration expense by marching in a labor union's contingent that had paid an entrance fee.
"It's probably the cheapest show in town," Howard said. "But some of them don't want to pay."
For the first time this year, parade officials requested a $200 contribution for a seat at the VIP breakfast, or $2,000 for a table of 10 from any candidate seeking office. Some unnamed politicians balked at paying, said WIADCA President Tom Bailey.Protect and connect your Samsung smartphone with samsung cases.
"Some have responded positively, others have not, but we have not closed the door to anyone" Bailey said. "This is chicken feed compared to the thousands per head that some fundraisers charge."
Click on their website www.dressestmall.com/index.php/wedding-apparel/flower-girl-dresses.html for more information.
留言列表
