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July 7th, 2009
12:43 PM ET
LA official said funeral will cost millionsMatt Szabo, Los Angeles mayor's senior press secretary, talks with CNN.com's Nicole Lapin outlines the city's plan for Jackson's funeral. Since California is steeped in a financial mess, Szabo said the mayor is asking funeral goers to contribute money to help fund the costs of the service. Szabo said he didn't know how much the memorial will cost until the end of the day but will be "millions of dollars."
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To the Jackson Family and Friends
I feel as Stevie Wonder stated, " As much as we want Michael here with us, God must have needed him more. Mr. & Mrs. Jackson, thank you for the Gift of your son. There will never be another Michael Jackson. Many will attempts to replicate, duplicate but no one will ever be Micheal. May God forever be with you even after the dust has settled and the media and all the fans have returned to the usual daily operations.
To the ones who are not a part of the memorial celebration
JUST KEEP YOUR NEGATIVITY TO YOUR SELF. Everyone are entitled to their own opinion, but this is not the time to express them. There has to be a small portion of your cold heart that is sensitive to the feelings of others. BE RESPECTFUL. ONE DAY YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY FOR YOUSELF AND HEAVEN FORBID WHEN THAT DAY COME FOR YOU.
Why would it cost millionS of dollars for the memorial? It was simple and short. I dont think it costed a million.
They can take the cost of the memorial out of the death taxes that will be charged to the estate. Dont fool yourself the state like the IRS always gets their money. I hope Michael rests in peace. The memorial service was a beautiful service that was very tastefully done.
Micheal's parents and siblings shouldn't have to pay for anything! Thats just how I feel about it because the state of California has more than enough money so paying for this memorial service WONT HURT THEM! Gosh, give the Jackson's a break.
After everything Michael has brought to that state, they want reimbursement for the funeral. I know the state is in trouble financially, but thats pretty despicable.
They talk about what it will cost the city, but have they thought about what funds the Memorial brought to the city. Hotels, restaurants, taxi services, bus services, and even the airlines will profit, He deserves every penny that was spent, but I hope the city will get some of it back. I am sure they will.
Doesn't it make you question how well run Los Angeles county is, if the administration is requesting assistance in finances the same afternoon of the event. It has been over days since he passed away and I think it was no surprise that there would be a funeral and motorcade? Shouldn't these supposed inconveniences have been brought up earlier?
MICHAEL IN HEAVEN,
I WILL SADLY MISS YOU, YOUR WONDERFUL MUSIC, AND YOUR HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS THAT HELPED CURE THE WORLD. THE WORDS YOU SANG IN YOUR MUSIC WERE UNBELIEVEABLY CLEAN WITHOUT DISTASTEFUL PROFANITY. YOU ARE ONE OF A KIND! THERE IS NONE OTHER THAT CAN WRITE AND PERFORM MUSIC AND TOUCH THE WORLD LIKE YOU! YOU UNITED THE WORLD AND FOREVER WILL TOUCH MY HEART AND SOUL WITH THE BEAUTIFUL MELODY THAT SOOTHED MY SOUL. REST IN PEACE MICHAEL JACKSON, YOU ARE TRULY A SHINNING STAR SENT FROM GOD! I'M SURE YOU WILL BE AN ANGEL WATCHING AND HELPING THE WORLD WITH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm fairly certain that Michael Jackson paid enough in taxes to the state of California for them to do this without expecting reimbursement of expenses. Think of the extra cash being spent there solely because of the service...
Why Why
Why......
Let the event happen and give it the same 2 car escort a real and normal person would get in the way of protection. This is nuts when costs go into the millions and tax dollars are wasted in this day and age. We are a society gone nuts!!!! This guy was a talent but lets not go overboard on who he was and what he did that already cost all of us in California millions for the legal circus we already allowed and paid for only to have him buy his way out.
What is this world coming to? It is a complete outrage that after all the programs and funding that was cut in California that the city of L.A. would be hosting such a ridicules event for a man that was been accused on multiple occasions of molesting children. There was not even this much tribute paid to Mother Teresa a woman who actually did something to better man kind. The world will still function and might even keep our children safer with Michael Jackson’s death but it will not go on if our city’s and state’s foolishly spend money for outrageous occasions as appose to putting food in the mouths of our starving and struggling nation. Our nation will crumble if people do not get there priority’s straight. Michael Jackson is not a priority!
You will always be in my mind. You have been since the day I heard your music. I was 10 when I was trying to imitate your moves form Billy Jean. You have been playing in my radio cassette, my cd player and now in my IPOD. MJ THANK YOU for entertaining me, THANK YOU for you support from your lyrics, THANK YOU for what you did for kids around the world. RIP and you still Rock my World....
I think since the Jackson family decided to put on such an elaborate "affair", THEY should be the ones to pay for extra security.
I liked MJ just as much as anyone else, but I feel this extravagant event is unnecessary. What's wrong with quietly mourning a loved one? Jermaine seems to be the only level headed person in that family.
Have some of the MANY celebs that will be in attendance pony up a couple hundred G's!
I think the Jackson family should take responsibility and pay for it or take it from the millions from all the recent album and memoribilia sales.
lol everyone want's money now. becuase this man has money everyone wants something now. have we lost the love for people and just given in to greed and money. what has the world come to. Get there state out of debt they are now going after the dead. all i can say is WOW.
Too damn bad! Do you know how much Michael Jackson paid to the state of California in taxes in his lifetime? MJ you deserve this send off.
Californa is in the toilet financially, and LA is going to pay for a memorial service for a private citizen??!! I think they are making a bad decision.
You cannot tell me that the whole Jackson clan cannot come up with the money to cover the costs. If you can't afford it – don't do it. Even in death he is living beyond his means.
I can think of better things for tax payers dollers to be spent on.
Yeah, yeah, he was a good singer, a pioneer, yada-yada-yada, the fact remains – he was a private citizen and his memorial should not be paid for with the public's money.
Where were all these fan-atics when MJ was going through the issues he was aquitted for??? You would think it was the second coming of Christ....Why are they all out now wanting to be seen as mourners? MJ and I are the same age and we grew up together............ at least in my home. I had all his albums and watched him when there were only three channels. You youngsters out have it pretty lucky with the meriod of Networks out there covering it...... Good bye Michael-God Bless you and your family.
I CANNOT believe that the City of Los Angeles will foot the bill for security for MJ.....it is sad that an entertainter has passed away, HOWEVER lets not forget what all the hoopla was about this same entertainer a few years ago...... Take the money that is being spent on this fiasco (funerals are a private family matter), and donate it to the Boys & Girls Club, or Feed the Children.....THAT makes more sense, and gives back to those who MJ took a childhood away from!!!!!
How is this financially different from any other event that is held at the Staples Center? And what about the revenue that is coming in from taxes on Hotel rooms and food? Not to mention the boost this brings into the local economy!
People should get over it – they said it was in the budget at the press conference. Besides, I'm sure his funeral is bringing revenue for the city. If I were a Jackson, I wouldn't have even bothered to share his homegoing celebration with the public. Even in death he can't get a break...
I lov u MICHAEL, I'm gonna miss you !!!! you are the best...
The City of Los Angeles is shelling out millions to honor Michael Jackson. What about those thousands that have given their life for their country? Don't they deserve a bit more than a blurb on the web? Just today it was released that 8 more U.S. Soldiers were killed in action in Afghanistan and yet they get a small two paragraph story.
How sad.
i feel for the city, but at the same time, it was just a few weeks ago that they allowed half a million people crowd the exact same city streets to celebrate the LA Lakers.
why the double standard??
why is it ok for basketball fans to swarm the staples center but not MJ fans to mourn peacefully?? what's the real story here?
personally, i feel like the LAPD has denied the world a historic moment and the opportunity to participate in something very meaningful. and MJ has been denied a portion of his rightful moment too. and for no good reason. or is it that they didn't want the image of thousands of adoring fans to be broadcast to the world? just another example of LAPD arrogance. _they_ decided this was going to happen _their_ way, and now they want to extort money from a grieving family? sounds like all the other MJ leeches grabbing what they can cuz it's MJ.
gimmie a break!
Considering the financial crisis the State of California is currently experiencing, I believe that the City of LA has every right to ask for and expect, reimbursement from the family for expenses during todays event. I doubt that anyone will donate to the cause since quite frankly, most that are attending the memorial are only there to say that they were there.
Michael was a great entertainer but, his death doesn't deserve this kind of attention.
I think asking the fans to help pay for the service is a bit much. The family should pay the bill. Michael made millions of dollars for that family. It's the least they can do.
The city should be re-imbursed by either the Jackson Family or the Staples Center. Is the Staples Center donating the space with no $$$ consideration?
This is a totally unexpected burden for the city to bear. If a family member passed in my family it would be the cost of the service and I would be expected to pay. If the Jackson's didn't want the the expense then they should not have done it in this fashion.
Michael was a great performer and contributed a lot to all of our lives but I don't think he would have wanted the city to go into debt for him. Even Liz Taylor commented about it turning into too much.
God be with him!!!!!!
It's such a sad thing about Michael Jackson, I really enjoyed his music & dance.I understand he took thousands of dollars worth of meds a month & I just don't get it? He couldn't have done this to himself. I think something smells rotten! RIP Michael You Will Be Missed!!!
i just want send my wishs to the Jacksons Family and i will be pray for yall and i want to thank him for share him with us
I thank you Michael for giving me many family memories "hair brush" microphones, laughter, dancing, and moonwalks. It is hard to believe how much 1 person can make such an impact on so many people’s lives in such a positive way. MUSIC the way to all our hearts. Michael found a way to get beyond the heart and into the soul. I love him for that and will always be a fan
Your # 1
S. Rogers
i am so sad,i can not believe that he is not here anymore,rest in peace ,i love you.
City Officials of Los Angeles, Don’t Get It Twisted!
Now the City representatives want to whine about who’s going to pay for the Michael Jackson Memorial for a couple block-closures around the Staples Center. That’s a bunch a Bull!! A couple of years ago, when illegal aliens protested for citizenship in Los Angeles on two separate occasions, closing several miles of streets from downtown LA to Mid-Wilshire, as well as other parts of the City, County and Freeways, we didn’t see City Officials or CouncilwomanJan Perry ask, “who’s going to pay for those marches?” Let’s begin by having the City Officials reimburse the City for those two marches, which cost the City a whole lot more than this memorial.
Don't make this a Jackson burden. It is not. It is a welcomed celebration! And I'm not even a fan of MJ!
It’s because of Michael Jackson and other world-renowned entertainers and professional athletes that the Staples Center exists and affords tax revenue to the City of Los Angeles. As a residence and tax-payer of Los Angeles, I would rather see my taxes pay for a memorial for Michael Jackson, who brought so much attention, adulation, and revenue to LA, than for protestors who don’t respect the law. I also resent the City’s need to control the attendees to the memorial. They are a peaceful crowd who are merely gathering to pay their final respects.
The mayor is asking folks to contribute money to fund the cost of Micheal Jasckson funeral expenses that will cost million of dollars. And as a working person with no fame and living pay check to pay check. i have an idea "why not ask Janet Jackson, Stevie Wonder, P Diddy, Beyonce, Maria Carey, Rev Al, President Obmara, Jamie Fox adn all the celebrates that making millions of dollars can give up some money to pay for it.
Teshina
I thank Michael for the music
My mom was a fan of the Jackson 5. She loves their music.
My brothers in their teenage years were fans of Michael Jackson, Madonna & etc. They would tell me that Thriller was the best. My eldest brother loves Billie Jeans specially his performance in Motown.
When I was a kid, i loved Free Willy so much and the music. At that time, I didn't know he sang the song 'til I was 11,I think. I used to listen to my brothers cassette tapes. I was in high school when he released You Rock my World. I could still remember, I used to dance that at my room along with Britney's song etc.
He is one of my wish list. I wanna be at his future concerts and just feel how is it, him on the stage numerous people screaming and fainting. Now, that he has passed away, all I could do is watch his past concerts. I feel weird that i'm so sad upon hearing his death, somehow he had touch my life. It makes me cry hearing Man in the Mirror (it's one of my favorite song)
I only have regrets that he was not able to have a comeback and prove himself once more that after all the trials and scandals in his life, he had survived it all. Maybe he didn't overcome those or he was short in time to prove to people that he did.
Even at his death, he made me realize that my family and I are lucky. Lucky that my father is still alive with us. (not that I'm selfish) I thank him for making me feel that way.
I will always be a fan of Michael Jackson and his music. I will always love him.
Dear Michael Jackson,
You are in the Lord now. You are in peace. You are now far from media and bad publicity, far from the jokes of comedians but I pray that you will guide your love ones from where you are now. God bless you and your family.
xoxo,
Marygrace