Whitney Houston Funeral Costs Outrage New Jersey Taxpayers.

[Roberta75]

What your thoughts on this? Can we please have a civil debate and respect every person's viewpoint and opinion.

In today's economy I can personally understand people being upset over this, however I feel the local police department and the State of New Jersey should have been open and upfront about the costs as soon as they knew this was going to be a public funeral.

http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/04/09/whitney-houston-funeral-taxpayer-newark/?ncid=webmail7

Roberta

[Shaqueetha_Jackson]

I dunt care how much did florence blondie Ballard funeral cost? she dont even have a grave stone

[carlo]

As much as I love Whitney, I will try to approach this with an unbiased view. I don't think the tax payers should be responsible for bearing the expenses incurred from the funeral. I would think the family and/or estate has more than enough money to cover this cost. After all, it was the family's decision to have the funeral held in a public setting and therefore they should be responsible, if taxpayers are unhappy with the fact that they have to pay for the expense of extra security. They could have just as easily held a private ceremony in a more secure, remote, unknown location and perhaps it would have prevented these extra security costs/expenses from arising. I can understand why people would be unhappy with this. I think the family can afford it.

[theboyfromxtown]

I can see both sides.

As a Londoner, I'm told I'm having to pick up a large part of the cost of staging the London Olympics - worse, I can't even get a ticket! It's hard when you gotta pay but there has to be some kind of protection in case things get out of hand.

[Roberta75]

I dunt care how much did florence blondie Ballard funeral cost? she dont even have a grave stone

I believe Mr. Gordy paid for the late Ms. Ballard's funeral Shaqueetha and I personally wouldn't place too much emphasis on whether the place where Florence Ballard's shell is buried has a tombstone. Her spirit and music live on with us and Miss Ballard is now residing in her heavenly father's mansion and singing in the choir of Jesus Christ.

Best to you and welcome to the forum.

Roberta

[Roberta75]

As much as I love Whitney, I will try to approach this with an unbiased view. I don't think the tax payers should be responsible for bearing the expenses incurred from the funeral. I would think the family and/or estate has more than enough money to cover this cost. After all, it was the family's decision to have the funeral held in a public setting and therefore they should be responsible, if taxpayers are unhappy with the fact that they have to pay for the expense of extra security. They could have just as easily held a private ceremony in a more secure, remote, unknown location and perhaps it would have prevented these extra security costs/expenses from arising. I can understand why people would be unhappy with this. I think the family can afford it.

Very eloquently stated Carlo.

Fondly,

Roberta

[Roberta75]

I can see both sides.

As a Londoner, I'm told I'm having to pick up a large part of the cost of staging the London Olympics - worse, I can't even get a ticket! It's hard when you gotta pay but there has to be some kind of protection in case things get out of hand.

Yes, indeed there are always security issues to consider theboyfromxtown.

Bless you,

Roberta

[mellow_q]

The cost of Whitney Houston's funeral is probably a drop in the bucket to the amount of tax dollars she paid to the state of New Jersey since 1984.

I felt the same way about Michael Jackson when peope complained about how much his funeral cost the city of Los Angeles.

[soulster]

The only difference between Newark and Los Angeles is that L.A. is an entertainment mecca. The expense is expected there.

[Jerry Oz]

The cost of Whitney Houston's funeral is probably a drop in the bucket to the amount of tax dollars she paid to the state of New Jersey since 1984.

I felt the same way about Michael Jackson when peope complained about how much his funeral cost the city of Los Angeles.
So, I should expect a state funeral in return for all of the taxes that I've paid? If the answer is "no", then this is a very classist statement to post. Camden, NJ, can't afford adequate fire or police protection because the state pulled funding, yet they can find money to assist in the burial expenses associated with Ms. Houston's interment? I'm shaking my head about that logic and those priorities.

[soulster]

I think things are getting confused here. It wasn't a "state" funeral. No one paid for the funeral itself. What was paid for by taxpayers is police assistance, which happens for most funerals, and it will happen for yours too. Assisting in the procession and security of a funeral are part of police duties. Because the deceased is famous should make no difference.

[carlo]

I've never heard of "police assistance" for most funerals. Well, to be fair, I've never heard of it or seen it in Canada. That kind of thing only happens here for the funeral of a politician and people of that nature. Not sure about the U.S. It never happens here for normal everyday people.

[calibaby]

For heavens' sake, it's $178,000. If indeed she left a $20 million++ estate, the executor should pay the city, thank them and be done with it. Pay it and stop all the crosstown traffic. We used to call that class, when somebody squashed nonsense quickly by being gracious or magnanimous. Alas, everything associated with WH except her voice is extremely problematic[as in messy]. So the argument will probably continue.

[luke]

Wasnt Whitney's main residence in Georgia?

[soulster]

I've never heard of "police assistance" for most funerals. Well, to be fair, I've never heard of it or seen it in Canada. That kind of thing only happens here for the funeral of a politician and people of that nature. Not sure about the U.S. It never happens here for normal everyday people.

Mostly, a funeral will have police escorts for the motorcade to the burial site if the service is in a different place than the cemetery, which is usually the case. If the deceased is a public figure, they also get police protection for obvious reasons.

[Roberta75]

The cost of Whitney Houston's funeral is probably a drop in the bucket to the amount of tax dollars she paid to the state of New Jersey since 1984.

I felt the same way about Michael Jackson when peope complained about how much his funeral cost the city of Los Angeles.

But Anschutz Entertainment Group [[AEG) and the estate of Michael Jackson agreed to provide $1.3 million to the city of Los Angeles to help cover the cost of his memorial at Staples Center after a huge public outcry.

Roberta

[Roberta75]

For heavens' sake, it's $178,000. If indeed she left a $20 million++ estate, the executor should pay the city, thank them and be done with it. Pay it and stop all the crosstown traffic. We used to call that class, when somebody squashed nonsense quickly by being gracious or magnanimous. Alas, everything associated with WH except her voice is extremely problematic[as in messy]. So the argument will probably continue.

Well I certainly hope people don't expect Cissy Houston, or Saint Cissy as she's known in New York and New Jersey as, to pay any or part of the $178,000.

Roberta

[Jerry Oz]

Although the expense is excessive [[in my opinion), not spending it would have probably allowed for a calamitous situation to evolve. Stepping back and considering it, there was every reason to believe that things would have gotten out of control and that could have resulted in public safety being negatively affected, so the money had to be spent.

[jobeterob]

The police are responsible to maintain order and public safety ~ for all people, rich and poor and in between.

There was expense here but the Whitney Houston funeral also brought in a huge contingent of press all of whom ate and slept and drove in Camden and spent a lot of money there ~ and it probably offset much of the cost. It is very much the same as when a member of the Royal Family comes to Canada ~ big cost but big financial return.

If the funeral were a commercial endeavour, I can see a request being made for repayment. But it wasn't a commercial endeavour.

If the estate has a lot of money, it should do the honorable thing and pay for the cost. But it is far from clear that there is a huge amount of money in the estate; there were articles about more than one foreclosure and many liabilities. If the estate has $20 million, it should pay the cost. If it is unclear where it stands financially, they will need to hold off even if they want to pay the cost. It is the executor's duty to act prudently.

The Whitney CDs are all slipping down the charts; the sales are dwindling; it is far from clear how much money there will be. This isn't the era of big CD sales.

The Houstons need to find the same executors that Michael Jackson employed ~ those guys have turned the Cirque du Soleil show into millions of dollars flowing in monthly.

[jillfoster]

I want to know how they arrived at 187,00$!!! The funeral was one DAY. the article said they used 200 police officers, that would mean that these cops are paid roughly 925$ a day? Hell... who says cops are underpaid!

[smark21]

The funeral was in Newark, not Camden

[carlo]

The Whitney CDs are all slipping down the charts; the sales are dwindling; it is far from clear how much money there will be. This isn't the era of big CD sales.

The Houstons need to find the same executors that Michael Jackson employed ~ those guys have turned the Cirque du Soleil show into millions of dollars flowing in monthly.

Whitney's film "Sparkle" and its accompanying soundtrack will be released this summer. I am predicting it will be a big success.

I hope her estate will not go the "Michael Jackson route" by releasing video games and approving a Cirque du Soleil show. I like to think that her legacy will be maintained with a little more respect and dignity.

[luke]

Not sure. A lot of income needs to be generated per her money problems.

[marv2]

What your thoughts on this? Can we please have a civil debate and respect every person's viewpoint and opinion.

In today's economy I can personally understand people being upset over this, however I feel the local police department and the State of New Jersey should have been open and upfront about the costs as soon as they knew this was going to be a public funeral.

http://blog.music.aol.com/2012/04/09/whitney-houston-funeral-taxpayer-newark/?ncid=webmail7

Roberta

Really, I don't care what they think over in Jersey! There were some that disagreed.....LOUDLY with Gov. Christie over the lowering of the flage to half mast in honor of Whitney. Yeah they pay high taxes in Jersey so do we here in New York, and so does CT!

If they want to complain, why didn't they complain about the State's response to the flooding from Hurricane Irene last summer. It floods in Jersey every year and they don't seem to do anything to prevent it. They pay taxes regardless. I think some people there and elsewhere are just looking for more things to just talk about when it comes to Whitney. What about all the money she gave to their schools over there? What about all the money she's donated to charities in Jersey and elsewhere? Whitney nor her family are directly to blame for her extraneous funeral costs.

How about blaming the need for the Jersey State Patrol and the Newark City Police on......oh, I don't know? Maybe the residents of Jersey who wanted to attend the funeral or get as close as they possible could!!!

[marv2]

As much as I love Whitney, I will try to approach this with an unbiased view. I don't think the tax payers should be responsible for bearing the expenses incurred from the funeral. I would think the family and/or estate has more than enough money to cover this cost. After all, it was the family's decision to have the funeral held in a public setting and therefore they should be responsible, if taxpayers are unhappy with the fact that they have to pay for the expense of extra security. They could have just as easily held a private ceremony in a more secure, remote, unknown location and perhaps it would have prevented these extra security costs/expenses from arising. I can understand why people would be unhappy with this. I think the family can afford it.

Carlo, the New Hope Baptist Church is just like any other church. The funeral was basically private. The difference was that many people from the public [[including New Jersey) wanted to attend. That would have caused chaos, so the police and security needs arose from the residents of Jersey in the first place. They were used to keep the fans from disrupting the service or the travel of the hearse back and forth. If everyone would have simply followed Mrs. Houston's request, there would not have been a need for all of that security. So I think that the State had some responsibility to make sure that things did not get out of hand as they easy could have.

[marv2]

The cost of Whitney Houston's funeral is probably a drop in the bucket to the amount of tax dollars she paid to the state of New Jersey since 1984.

I felt the same way about Michael Jackson when peope complained about how much his funeral cost the city of Los Angeles.

There youi go Mellow q! that is exactly what I am talking about! She has contributed a lot to New Jersey in financial terms as well as culturally.

[marv2]

The only difference between Newark and Los Angeles is that L.A. is an entertainment mecca. The expense is expected there.

But people can get rowdy everywhere! If there were no security there would have been a near riot near that church!

[marv2]

So, I should expect a state funeral in return for all of the taxes that I've paid? If the answer is "no", then this is a very classist statement to post. Camden, NJ, can't afford adequate fire or police protection because the state pulled funding, yet they can find money to assist in the burial expenses associated with Ms. Houston's interment? I'm shaking my head about that logic and those priorities.

No, Jerry can't and Camden is Hell on Earth! LOL! See, on top of the taxes Whitney has paid, she's also done a LOT for charities in the State of New Jersey and elsewhere. She had contributed a lot of money to their schools. They needed that extra security to protect the family, celebrities and dignitaries in attendance. They were needed to protect the public in the vicinity as well. Remember we are talking NEWARK NJ! It can be as rough as Detroit on any day of the week. This was a one shot deal. They will not doing this [[having a major funeral like that) everyday.

There is a lot more to the problems in Camden than just funding. We can get into that in another thread if you like. Camden is Hell on Earth!

[marv2]

Although the expense is excessive [[in my opinion), not spending it would have probably allowed for a calamitous situation to evolve. Stepping back and considering it, there was every reason to believe that things would have gotten out of control and that could have resulted in public safety being negatively affected, so the money had to be spent.

With all the media there from around the World to cover that funeral, that would have been all that New Jersey needed, to have a major disturbance erupt at or outside of the funeral.

[marv2]

The police are responsible to maintain order and public safety ~ for all people, rich and poor and in between.

There was expense here but the Whitney Houston funeral also brought in a huge contingent of press all of whom ate and slept and drove in Camden and spent a lot of money there ~ and it probably offset much of the cost. It is very much the same as when a member of the Royal Family comes to Canada ~ big cost but big financial return.

If the funeral were a commercial endeavour, I can see a request being made for repayment. But it wasn't a commercial endeavour.

If the estate has a lot of money, it should do the honorable thing and pay for the cost. But it is far from clear that there is a huge amount of money in the estate; there were articles about more than one foreclosure and many liabilities. If the estate has $20 million, it should pay the cost. If it is unclear where it stands financially, they will need to hold off even if they want to pay the cost. It is the executor's duty to act prudently.

The Whitney CDs are all slipping down the charts; the sales are dwindling; it is far from clear how much money there will be. This isn't the era of big CD sales.

The Houstons need to find the same executors that Michael Jackson employed ~ those guys have turned the Cirque du Soleil show into millions of dollars flowing in monthly.

The funeral was in Newark, NJ. Camden is about 90 miles south of there. Whitney Houston's music will pretty much be selling perpetually! It is expected that there'd be huge sales upon news of her passing, but her songs will sell well into the future.

I don't see this as an expense for her estate because the State of New Jersey were doing what they are suppose to do anyway that is serve and protect the public. They had to be there to keep hords of people from overrunning the church and surrounding neighborhood.

[marv2]

I want to know how they arrived at 187,00$!!! The funeral was one DAY. the article said they used 200 police officers, that would mean that these cops are paid roughly 925$ a day? Hell... who says cops are underpaid!

That is a good question because it's been said that the cops where I live are the highest paid in the nation here in Suffolk County, NY.

[mellow_q]

There youi go Mellow q! that is exactly what I am talking about! She has contributed a lot to New Jersey in financial terms as well as culturally.

Thank you Marv.

[motony]

just like with teachers, its only their unions that think they are underpaid[[& make them think that).