Points well taken, Rick. It may have been a poor risk. Although I think that the mayor was trying to make sure that there were enough Jacksons around to perhaps convince the decision makers that Jackson should be buried in Gary.

He was thinking Gracie Mansion.

I can't really fault him for that. $5000 compared to the possibilities was a gamble,a s you say. But if Jackson was buried there, and there was a small museum and souveniers, like I said, even only 10,000 people a year passing through spending $100 is a million bucks pumped into the economy.

I used to drive near Gary all the time while en route to Berrian Springs, MI from Ohio to visit a jobsite that I had responsibility in. Althouth a Michael Jackson museum might not interest me, if there was a notable item of interest, I might go a few moments out of my way and spend some time - and dollars - there. And, I am sure, that there are some folks who would make pilgrimmages, stay overnight, eat in restaurants for more than one meal, and really keep those cash registers clicking!

I don't blame the mayor for his effort in that direction, and I wish for Gary's sake that he was successful.

Perstare et praestare. Per aspera ad astra.