Posted by Tomasyalba at 8/12/07 1:20 a.m.

Gatsby and Daisy looked simply divine this evening.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 7:40 a.m.

The fireworks were after 10 and extremely loud! How much did the city gross for this event? That has to be public record.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 8:57 a.m.

This event does not warrant complaint, it was very subdued and, furthermore, the majority of the neighbors who were sitting on the grass at Gas Works Park found the brief firework display to be absolutely incredible. I, personally, thought they were the best display I have ever seen.
The choice of music, however, was pretty weak - long and poppy jazz covers of Moondance and La Bamba, the worst of the baby boomer catalogue.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 9:05 a.m.

There were far more than 50 people in the park who were there to watch the fireworks, which were amazing. I imagine you meant there were 50 people on the east side of the park (facing Eastlake), not counting the folks on Kite Hill and the larger part of the park?

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 9:41 a.m.

Agreed - the fireworks were incredible.

Also, kudos to Casey for being persistent and getting some answers. I think he was the only journalist that bothered to show up on a Saturday night to get some answers.

Posted by USMC_VET at 8/12/07 10:00 a.m.

So how many hungry children did he feed at this gross waste of money?

Hope he got a good pre-nupt.

Posted by ac964 at 8/12/07 10:00 a.m.

KOMO TV reported on their 11:00 o'clock news report last night (Sat. Aug 11, 2007) that the Seattle Parks Department charged the party planners $5000 for the event.

Personally I've no problem with someone spending their money to rent space at a city park as long as the money goes to park improvements and not in some bureaucrat's pocket. Hey, if you've got it spend it it's not like this guy is selfish with his money.

If what KOMO reports is true the only problem I have is the amount: only $5K ?! Those fireworks probably cost twice that much. Add to it the tents, performers, caterers, party planners, Duck boats (a rip off at over $20/head) and the city, on whose land the party was held, probably gets less than 1% of the total cost of the party?!

As I said, I don't have a problem with the city renting part of the park but c'mon Parks Department, get your fair share!

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 10:11 a.m.

This party has been in the works for months. It included hundreds of guests who arrived in an armada of Duck Boats with a police escort, a gospel choir, and a full-on fireworks display. Yet, none of the PI's "investigative" reporters could solve the mystery until the guest of honor himself showed up? Sounds like just another day in Mayberry.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 10:13 a.m.

Sounds like it was a great party. Hope the organizers clean up, too! I'm sure Casey will keep us apprised...

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 10:44 a.m.

Better to spend a million dollars on local talent and services than to give it to China via Walmart, Fred Mayer and Target.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:20 a.m.

They could have had the fireworks a little earlier.The sun does set at 8:30 now. Now they can send someone over to clean up the feathers from our pet birds that nearly died from heart attacks from the unexpected late explosions. These were MUCH louder than the usual 4th of July. Lets close down our clubs for the young folks but give the wealthy an open ticket to terorize the working class community.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:34 a.m.

As one of those living in the neighboring community, I watched with amusement as this obviously high-end event unfolded over the last week or so.

To get only $5,000 in fees from this event...given its plainly over-the-top nature...

...kind of calls for the review of increasing the City Of Seattle permitting fees for these things.

That being said:

The fireworks display was entertaining...though launching that amount of munitions at that low of an explosive height right off the shore of the park had me worrying that they would inadvertently blow up the old Gas Works towers with an errant shell.

It's always interesting to be able to watch the uber-class do their stuff (ala the opening of the sculpture park, various performance halls, et al).

This isn't an indictment of the uber-class for holding these events.

It's great they've been able to get to a point in their lives to be able to do interesting things with their money. I've been a bit less understanding with other uber-class folks' events in the past...but in this case...Mr. Clearwire has done several things with his money that allow some sort of slack in this case.

Alas, those of us middle-class folks just get to watch from outside the guarded gates of these events, but hey...we can dream about eventually, through hardwork and inventiveness of our own...feel like, in Seattle, there are chances for us to crawl upward into that group at some future date.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:35 a.m.

"...working class community..."

Wonder if you've looked at real estate in Wallingford lately.

Posted by seavista at 8/12/07 11:40 a.m.

The City should be ashamed of itself. $5000 to have a substantial part of the park taken out of public use for ten days is absurd. They should have rented a golf course for this display of narcissism. One cn have a nice and memorable party for far less than was spent on the party and give the rest to the homeless and hungry.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:52 a.m.

If I was making 500 times what my average employee was making, this is exactly the kind of bonfire I'd throw my cash on too.

You go, Sloan!

Posted by Thaxter at 8/12/07 12:01 p.m.

The natural ostentation of the rich will often slide into vulgar spectacle. The addition of deafening fireworks to a private party simply reeks of poor taste. A bride of quality would have found the mere idea of fireworks revolting, but surely millionaire Sloan, giddy with gold, had his say, and blissful and embarrassing exhibitionism prevailed. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Sloan for making public fools of themselves.

Posted by MR. RIGHT at 8/12/07 12:55 p.m.

Narsissism? Terrorizing the working class? Ostentation?
Jealousy is such an ugly thing, especially when it is communicated in whiny terms. Mr. Sloan has a great life. I suggest some follks find their own.

Posted by priestess at 8/12/07 1:06 p.m.

The sad part of this surprise party is that it was a surprise to all of us in listening range - over on lower Queen Ann as well, the noise was far beyond Wallingford and into our little enclave of rental apartments, so please don't give the working class a hard time for complaining, I did work Sunday after being awaken from my sleep! I don't begrudge someone wanting a great party, but we do, unfortunately live in a time and world where thinking of the other folks doesn't happen. I wish Mr. Sloan the best of futures, and would hope that those who celebrate with him will think of those in the community next time they want to share his joy. We all, wealthy and not need to live together in celebration and in service with one another! It is a shame our city didn't think of impact to all when they assisted in helping folks to celebrate though - they are supposed to be all of our public servants.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 1:33 p.m.

I just wish the fireworks for the fourth of July had been a tenth as good. I was on Kite Hill at the park for the fourth, and you could barely hear the fireworks at all because a) they were lousy and b) the horrible music they were blasting across the park drowned them out.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 2:07 p.m.

Jealousy must be Seattle's working class fav past time ... Seattle attitude at it's finest. Move to Montana if you want your peace and quiet. You live in a city. Cities have noise. Buy a place in North Bend.

I hope MORE & MORE folks throw parties like this - I love the free entertainment. It was GREAT last night. We had a party and it just made our party even better to get to watch the fireworks. Great fireworks show!

And they didn't close off a major portion of Gas Works - if you are going to grip about something - at least be accurate in your comments.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 2:09 p.m.

'Wonder if you've looked at real estate in Wallingford lately'

Over valued real estate has nothing to do with the wages working people earn. This is not something exclusive to Wallingford.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 2:24 p.m.

'Jealousy must be Seattle's working class fav past time ... Seattle attitude at it's finest. Move to Montana if you want your peace and quiet. You live in a city. Cities have noise.'

I think you are missing the point. A city that will restrict clubs our young people attend due to noise but will allow a firework display to occur much later(louder) than neccesary is not jealousy. It's concern for common courtesy. I think most folks,including myself would have had no problem is they had taken place around 9:30 or so.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 2:51 p.m.

ok, so the fireworks were an hour late (or so) ... and you can relate that one hour 'problem' to a night club that has violence issues on a monthly basis?

I think clubs should be able to operate if they can keep the violence down - i'm not in support of the city restricting clubs based on noise either.

I'm not for one or the other - i have logic - i support both the clubs and the fireworks. It's a city - we have noise.

Posted by Cromely at 8/12/07 3:54 p.m.

I agree with the poster who suggested MT if you can't handle the occasional noise. I was going to suggest Ellensburg, myself.

This is not the same issue as night clubs. This is a limited amount of noise, for a limited amount of time, on a rare occasion. And the general public got to experience a fantastic display.

It makes no sense to compare it to much later chronic noise problems that go on for hours, with uncontrolled crowds and people getting shot and beaten.

And why do people feel this money was wasted? It wasn't wasted -- it didn't disappear from existence. It went to hundred of people who worked for the event -- playing music, driving duck boats, loading fireworks shells, providing security, setting up port-a-pottys, pouring drinks, arranging decorations, organizing staff, making food, and finally cleaning up.

That's not waste. That's real people working and providing for their families. The buy food and services throughout the Seattle area.

The money isn't wasted - it was distributed to lots of people in exchange for their goods and services. And those people will in turn distribute it to other people in exchange for their goods and services. At each step along the way, the gov't will get its cut, too, through sales tax and income tax.

That doesn't sound like waste to me.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 4:02 p.m.

It's a shame that the entire thing wasn't videotaped by an MTV crew. It really would have made for a very special episode of "My Super Sweet 16".

Mr. Sloan's wedding party is yet another example of hubris run amok.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 4:06 p.m.

Bravo, Cromely

Well said.

Posted by Apostle at 8/12/07 4:38 p.m.

Another great illustration of why we should have huge federal income tax increases on the rich. We gave rich people huge tax cuts for what? So they can buy $40 million mansions and throw million dollar private parties? Meantime working people can't afford to rent an apartment in the city.

Tax the hell out of these people who are filthy stinking rich. They obviously have more money than they know what to do with. If higher income taxes on rich people means fewer private fireworks shows, well now isn't that just too bad.

Posted by Lookitsme at 8/12/07 4:39 p.m.

I don't have a problem with parties in the park per se, but I definitely agree that $5,000 for privatizing a large portion of Seattle's most prominent park for more thna a week - and rendering most of the rest of it unuseable with heavy diesel fumes - is laughable.

Presumably, Sloan is one of the CEO's of the opinion that government should function as a business. If so, he should have been charged many times this amount.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 5:14 p.m.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks last night, and would like to thank Mr. Sloan for letting the Lake Union residents (like me) know about the impending fireworks with a nice postcard. What a fun free way to spend a Saturday night.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 6:35 p.m.

Rich people move into Belltown and Alki and complain about the noise from the nightclubs and bars. Then the rich people rent out public space and make a lot of noise and wake the neighbors. I think it's pretty clear who our city is working for.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 6:48 p.m.

The Sloans could have chosen an exclusive venue such as a country club but instead chose a public park, which I think should be commended. And I agree with the poster who said that government will be getting its fair share through taxes. Gas Works is a public park, and my guess is that anyone who wants to commandeer it for a major event is charged the same $5,000.

I also had no problem with the fireworks display--the postcards were much appreciated, and I, like many of my neighbors, watched last evening. Yes, they were late, but it was a Saturday and frankly not much later than the annual July 4 fireworks.

This is life in the big city, which in reality is a series of small communities. And I, for one, am glad that the Sloans chose to share part of their celebration with the community.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 7:16 p.m.

It's not a "private" fireworks show if I could hear the booms on the Eastside (which I did). To have a "private" fireworks show, you have to keep the public from seeing the whole darn thing. I wouldn't have minded being in Seattle to watch a free fireworks show not funded by the taxpayers (except for the permit fee perhaps not being enough).

I have to admit I was surprised to hear the booms after 10 p.m.

"So how many hungry children did he feed at this gross waste of money?"

As noted above, ask all the working-class people who were required to be employed to stage this event, from the delivery drivers to the artists. I'm sure there were actually a few hungry children who were almost directly fed by this.

And if that makes me sound conservative, for the record I have never in my life voted Republican. (Although I would vote Republican if they had values that were more authentically conservative and not the hijacked distortion of conservatism that they are.)

Posted by Apostle at 8/12/07 7:17 p.m.

This illustrates why we can't increase taxes on the rich to pay for W's war in Iraq -- the rich don't have any money to spare. Just think, if this poor guy had his tax rate increased substantially he might have only been able to invite 150 guests instead of 300! And they may have had to eliminate the private fireworks show! That would be unfair to him and his lovely bride.

No, let's not tax the rich to pay for their president's war. Let's borrow the money for Bush's war and pass the cost on to future generations. That way the rich can have their war and fireworks too!

Posted by PrincessPetu at 8/12/07 8:28 p.m.

I would have appreciated a heads up on the fireworks display. Normally when there is going to be a fireworks display there's some sort of warning and I can prep my pet (I put her in a room that is shut off from the rest of the house) but to have them exploding without any sort of warning is rude. And somehow it smacks of elitism, that is, if you're rich enough you don't have to worry about noise ordinances.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 9:04 p.m.

hag68, we're not going to lighten up because it was downright obnoxios.

Fine, let him have his lavish party. I personally don't care how the rich frivilously waste their money. But the fireworks were intrusive. I was actually sleeping at the time, and they woke me up! Being upset about that might sound petty, but I'd like the opportunity to go wake Mr. Sloan up out of a nice deep sleep by shooting off some fireworks in his back yard. Now how do you think the Medina P.D. (or Hunts Point, or Yarrow Bay, or whatever rent-a-private-police-force organization he and his neighbors have for themselves) would react to that???? Probably not so kindly, eh?

Well the next time he wants to favor us "Seattle-lites" with a party. Let him keep it in his own freaking back yard. Oh, right, the Medina/Hunts Point/Yarrow Bay ordinances don't allow fireworks after 10pm. What a pity.

Posted by PrincessPetu at 8/12/07 9:12 p.m.

Right on, M. unregistered user!

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 9:34 p.m.

So your saying its ok to tax the rich to rent out the park more so than some one else? This party employed over 500 people from stage crew, lighting and sound techs, catering, event planers, support staff, and the 70 actors, performers, and musicians. The Fireworks show was in no danger of "catching the gasworks on fire" the pyro team are some of the best of the best and insist of showing there system to the fire dept so they can have the safest show possible.

So how do you expect to charge him more for the use of the park? they obtained all the necessary permits everything form noise abaitment variances, harbor patrol for the fireworks, fire marshal occupancy, fire watch for fireworks and pyro, electrical, parks dept impact. most of these department have set rates for the permits. Are you suggesting that they gouge the rich when ever they want to have an event? So from 300 or so folks working the event to the police and fire and city officals monitoring the event.

Anyone remember the song "Garden Party" by Rick Nelson?

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 10:41 p.m.

If you want have a private party, hold it on private property. What I want from Mr. Sloan is the same as what I want from anybody else, rich or poor:

STFU 24/7/365

Posted by perfect-flapper at 8/12/07 10:58 p.m.

I'm just glad we know what the noise was last night. It startled us and we wondered what the hell it was. Living in Montlake without a view of the lake we had no idea it was fireworks.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:08 p.m.

Whiners and envious people. Sloan is rich. You would like to be. He paid what he was asked to for the park. I once rented a picnic shelter for a company event and was charged much less. I think around 100.00. Blame parks for their terms, not Sloan for paying what he was asked to.

I don't know Sloan and his works, but wealth often flows to those who have created value for others, and they indeed have a few toys, nice houses and the occasional wild party or jet, but they also pay far more taxes per dollar earned than most of us. The tax rate perhaps should be higher, but don't blame Sloan and he would still be wealthy. He gave millions to help the public schools which is likely more even proportionate to his assets than many of the whiners on this posting. And one day he will pass on, and when he does, he will either pay massive amounts of inheritance tax to the rest of you us, or he will give it away in advance to the non-profit sector - the rest of us again. He can't take it with him and can't leave too much to his heirs without giving a lot back to the government.

The many thousands spent on this spectacle was I assume largely spent in Seattle, on local people who in turn spread it around. Yes it was noisy and the park was used privately. This is the only issue that I think is worthy of debate. Get a life folks. Add value and get paid for it and depending on the way you add value, you may be paid highly like him, or paid modestly like many who are teachers, servers, bus drivers and thousands of other jobs that we need.

Save your anger for those who don't meet their potential or who take from the rest of us, like the scum who panhandle and drink when they ought to be working, the losers who can't control their impulses and cost thousands in social services and criminal justice, the folks who cut you off on the road and lack civility and others, rich and poor who are indifferent to others besides themselves. Kudos to Sloan for not being ashamed to celebrate his wedding and for having one heck of a great fireworks display in Seattle.

Posted by unregistered user at 8/12/07 11:33 p.m.

I didn't know 10 min's of fireworks can ruin so many folks nights. Yeah, noise on a Saturday night at 10pm ... what were they thinking?

Posted by Soul not sold to Road Warriors at 8/12/07 11:42 p.m.

Now they can send someone over to clean up the feathers from our pet birds that nearly died from heart attacks from the unexpected late explosions. These were MUCH louder than the usual 4th of July. Lets close down our clubs for the young folks but give the wealthy an open ticket to terorize the working class community.

Welcome to Seattle, the land of whiners. Maybe the bird whiners should do their birds a favor and LET THEM OUT of their cages. That's the true PC thing to do.

I get a real kick of these pretend working class neighbors in Wallingford. Hello - those folks left 10 years ago.

Kudos to Sloan for putting his money where his mouth is in regard to public education. And kudos for his decision to celebrate in the city rather than yet another faceless suburb.

The reason all these whiners come out from under their rocks: they just don't like any change in their boring whitebread hum-drum lives.

Change is bad! We're against things which don't fit into our repetitive routines!

Posted by unregistered user at 8/13/07 1:15 a.m.

Mr. Sloan made is money and should be able to spend it anyway he wishes. However, he rented a public park. I'm wondering if big bucks allowed him to skirt Seattle Parks & Recreation guidelines and rules.

Komo4 reported wine was served. Their guidelines state: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Publications/Policy/ServingAlcohol.pdf

"Recreation
If you are requesting permission to serve liquor at your event, the following conditions must be met:
...
• The event must be indoors, except for a limited number of special approved facilities.
...
• You may NOT serve alcohol during regular operating hours."

Regular hours for Gasworks Park are 4 AM - 11:30 PM

Why was alcohol allowed to be served?

-----------------------------------------
CEREMONY GUIDE (http://www.seattle.gov/parks/reservations/weddings/rules.htm)
Rules, Regulations & Policies
-Access
The park remains open to the public at all times during a ceremony.

Are rules for Special Events different? Looking at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/reservations/weddings/rules.htm , I can see no exception.

When our family rented a park for our daughter's wedding, we were told that it didn't guarantee the ceremony couldn't be crashed. We were nervous. Thankfully, people visiting the park were respectful. They didn't intrude, and they didn't make loud noises during the ceremony.

Was Gasworks park open to the public? How were uninvited people excluded from the Sloan party? Was doing so, within Seattle Park guidelines?

Posted by MR. RIGHT at 8/13/07 1:58 a.m.

I wondered how long it would be before someone brought the War in Iraq into this. The whack factor is so high in this city.......I heard W was at the party too. IT'S ALL HIS FAULT!!!!!! Love ya Moonbats!

Posted by unregistered user at 8/13/07 9:38 a.m.

It constantly amazes me how petty & snide many of your citizens are! Wow, if i had the money I would throw a dang good party (using local vendors) too! Also, you don't have to be a 'Gatsby' to enjoy a good (family oriented even) party with great fireworks. Sounds fun! Save me a seat on the hill next time!

Posted by Will in Seattle at 8/13/07 4:48 p.m.

You could hear the fireworks rattling windows in Fremont.

I wandered in around 8ish to Gas Works myself.

Posted by whoselvis at 8/14/07 5:16 a.m.

Wow, I live on QA hill not that far form Gasworks myself and when the fireworks were going off and a friend of mine IMed me to tell me they were blowing them off now, I could not hear them.

Blah blah blah, I ain't got it and I don't understand it, so I just have to whine about it.

To the working class Wallingford residents that were terrorized: Get over it.

To the non-rich complainers who love the words ostentatious and narcissism : Quit being so pretentious.

To the guy who made the Gatsby and Daisy comment : I love you man.

To Gatsby and Daisy : Can I come to your next party? I'll bet it's a blow-out. Maybe you can rent the Olympic Sculpture Park for it.

Posted by unregistered user at 2/1/08 3:48 a.m.

Guess I can have the last word on this blog......I was an invited guest, flown from far away to witness two friends tie the knot.

Knowing the participants very well, we were all very happy with the party, the marriage and the good these two folks do for their communities.

They are good people who just wanted to have a little fun.

As for the rich spending, I personally know each and every person contracted for this party was well paid, so the money went right back into your local economy.

Good on them!

Posted by unregistered user at 6/3/08 2:44 p.m.

'I heard W was at the party too'

As an invited guest to the magnificent party i know this is totally untrue.

It's crazy what people say because of jelosy! Mr. sloan worked very hard for all the money that went in to this.