Is the King Mango Strut dead?
Lots of strange news coming from the King Mango Strut.Their bank account has been frozen by the treasurer and there are siding factions. Some want to keep the parade the same, some want to make it even larger.As of now there is no parade planned for this year, but hopefully this will all come to a head and the show will go on. First the peacocks now this? We need out institutions to remain! Both combined last year as you can see here, that's Peer Everett, Strut committee member.
I don't know about you, but I thought last year's parade was one of the best. I know that they never wanted any commercial advertising or ventures involved, so hopefully things will remain the size and pace that they were.
This clash of egos must stop. The Grove has started so many new and great things this year from the block party to the Great Grove Bed Race, it would be depressing and stupid to see the number one Grove signature event die.
If money is the issue ($22,000 is frozen) can't they start a money raising campaign right now? The block party and the bed race did it within months, why can't the Strut?
posted by Tom Falco at 8:35 AM
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21 Comments:
For clarification the money is not frozen - there just needs to be resolution from the 2 directors who both have to sign checks. When you are on the outside looking in the parade looks fine, when you are trying to get work done, it is very difficult. It takes a lot of work and a lot of volunteers to put this parade on - THIS IS NOT A ONE MAN SHOW!
One of the parties involved was quoted as saying the account is frozen. Just reporing the news here.
This is much bigger than their egos. They need to think of the community. Would be a terrible loss.
This event cannot possibly cost $22,000 - if it does, everyone involved should be canned and prosecuted criminally for fraud and theft.
Wasn't this "event" thrown traditionally without funding, permission, bank accounts, directors, etc.?
Maybe 5-10k to pull this off with all the city BS involved these days, if it wants to follow all the rules.
Clownshoes!
Clownshoes, it costs more than that to shut the city streets down and to pay for city services, which are required to be paid or there is no parade.
For the record, and as you know, the Mango Strut was started as a protest, and it had no funding, but times are different now.
However, having done some preliminary research, I do not see the costs of having public works shut down the street and a few grand for police, as reaching anywhere near or exceeding $22,000. From the numbers posted here in regard to the Block party - it costs under $4,000 each week. 93,000/24 = 3875. Let's say that 5 times the area and 5 times the polic presence is needed, which I doubt, the mango strut is still adequately funded.
The Bed Race is paying about $10,000 to shut a couple of streets for just a small fraction of the time that the Strut closes the whole center Grove.
It is expensive to do what the Strut does.
Amazing at the number of bloggers who open their mouths and have no facts for what they are talking about. Perhaps all people like clownshoes should ask first instead of condeming. Then they will find out what is true and what is not.
Would ask that their mouths/typing fingers and brains work in tandem.So many whiners - so little amount of people with facts or those who want to follow up.Thanks Grape for giving people the facts all the time - though it is not your job - it is supposed to be an open forum and one would hope others would provide facts.
Anon 11:16
It's one of the classic times in Coconut Grove history.
You can read all about it here:
http://kingmangostrut.org/history.htm
In a nutshell, the Orange Bowl Parade tried to lay down some rules on a couple of Grovites' entry back in the early 80's (for some reason they didn't see it as fitting content to have guys with conch shells on their heads playing kazoos and banging trash can lids).
So, they started their own 'alternate' fruit parade.
Personally, I think the Mango Strut is the absolute best and most authentic Grove event, bar none. It encapsulates our neighborhood's lifestyle and attitudes with satire rooted in good old fashioned down-home feel. While I wince at commercial interests/advertising getting their hooks into the Strut, I think it's still the best outlet for all our 'local characters' to come out and strut their creativity.
Sad it costs so much for a bunch of people to walk in the street, but whaddya gonna do?
This makes no sense. Coconut Grove's coolest event being threatened because of one person's ego and a "frozen" bank account?
Yes, it's a crazy parade but c'mon!
$22,000 can sound like much too much for a little parade but I am told that's what it cost to put on last year's 2008 parade "on the cheap".
The same person told me the 2007 Strut "with all the frills" cost $42,000.
I liked the cheap one better!
It would be neat to shut down the entire shopping area Center Grove to car traffic permanently. Dozens of cities around Europe have huge pedestrian districts. That way, the Mango Strut, Saturdays at Commodore Plaza, Bike Days, etc., would not really cost any money to do, and it would encourage people to walk more.
The Mango Strut is supposed to be done, on the cheap and off the cuff. That's the point I was making. $22k will cover it easily.
Oh, and JKH, I have looked into costs, and you are way off. Also, I was calling the situation clownshoes (not creating a handle)- it means that people are acting with inordinate stupidity.
Both camps should make a list of 3-5 people they trust to mediate an amicable solution and then pick the person that is on both lists.
Harry Emilio Gottlieb
ANON AT 5:21
First you state that $22,00 is way too much. Then your response states that my figures are wrong. I never said anything about costs - I have no knowledge of exact figures) but you state that $22,00 will cover it EASILY. Did you the costs from the people who paid last years expenses or did you get it from police, permit depts, etc. You got facts - prove it!
If this were a business no one would stand to have an officer own the name of the corporation but because it is a fun event, a lot of people are willing to have the incorporation laws of Florida overlooked. You must abide by the rules and laws. Without clearing this up, the Strut cannot become a 501C3 which inhibits funding because it does not allow for people who donate to claim a tax deduction and does not allow for grants to finance the Strut. Now do you get it?
Two people have to sign a Mango check. If one check signer refusses to sign, no checks get writen, no checks get deposited.
Talk about having to kiss ass.
ANON AT 9:17
1-A business CAN legally have an officer own the name.2- Who says it has to become a 501c - It could be a for profit business .
anon at 10:02 - Typical nonsense reply. Most accountants would advise that 2 people have to cosign a check in many businesses. It is called - security - not kissing ass !! But hey - it ain't your money if it goes out the door!
This parade is not a For Profit business unless you want to pander to sponsors. Two people signing a check prevents illegal transactions and is for the protection of the event, the company, etc. as well. All businesses, condo associations, events, etc. should require 2 signatures.
anon at 857- It could be for profit business or a non profit business. The problem is not enough merchants who benefit from this event will support/donate. Give money - no problem with having a parade w/o sponsors.
No donations no money. Restaurants certainly benefit from this event during event and particularly when there is an after event and people hang after parade to eat and drink and dance in the streets. Everyone who is amazed at the cost of putting on a parade should volunteer this year for an event to see first hand the cost of city services, police, clean up, barricades, security, meters, banners and installation, parking lots, insurance,........
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