A new organizer, budget crunch and state auditors will not, at least for now, affect St. Petersburg’s support for its storied Martin Luther King (MLK) Parade.
Councilmember Gina Driscoll caused a community stir when she broached the topic at a July 31 budget meeting. She questioned why the annual event’s allocation was now $230,000 when the St. Pete Pride Parade, which is “also hurting,” will receive $150,000 worth of city services and no cash subsidy.
Driscoll then pulled a consent agenda item – typically a blanket vote – on a three-year, $690,000 contract with the MLK Parade’s new organizer for a discussion Thursday. A nearly 50-minute, ardent debate ensued…