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PITTSBURG —
Typically, Pittsburg lags behind national trends. Policies put in place in Washington may take weeks or months to reach this corner of the state.
But the mandatory spending cuts — known as sequestration — have already made an impact.
The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, who were scheduled to hit town on March 13 as part of their concert tour, have canceled their remaining shows.
“We realize that this is a great disappointment to tour patrons and our loyal sponsors who have worked very hard to bring your United States Navy Band to their communities,” said Capt. Brian Walden, U.S. Navy Band commanding officer, in a letter to city officials. “We share your disappointment as we renew our dedication to remaining good stewards of public funds.”
Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium general manager Jeff Wilbert said he was surprised and disappointed by the news, as the show was already a big attraction.
“We’d given out in excess of 800 seats. People were really looking forward to coming to the show,” Wilbert said. “Capt. Walden was very apologetic, and checked with his higher-ups to see if they could go ahead and do the four shows they had to cancel. They said no, because of the budget cutbacks.”
In fact, Walden’s official cancellation letter goes further into the depth and width of the cuts.
“The U.S. Navy now faces an additional $4-5 billion cut for this year alone — further reducing training and readiness. Because sequestration was triggered in March — nearly halfway through the fiscal year — the Navy must absorb the additional cut in only a few months. Sequestration removes any chance of flexibility when it comes to managing these cuts — no room to maneuver. Be ready means be safe — in this time of fiscal uncertainty, we have to manage these changes while minimizing risks to our force and to our mission,” Walden said in the letter.
Wilbert said that anything related to the Armed Forces typically draws a large crowd, and this particular group cancelling caused some added frustration.
“The thing I’m disappointed in is the nursing homes usually bring some of their folks, who do not see many shows,” Wilbert said. “It’s disappointing, because I know Medicalodges South was going to bring in a couple of folks in wheelchairs. I had to call them and cancel.”
Ultimately, Washington gridlock created the sequester, and the sequester created headaches for those excited to hear the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters.
“It’s important for the community to know,” Wilbert said. “The community probably thinks nothing in these can affect a town like Pittsburg. But this shows that it can and it does.”
Typically, Pittsburg lags behind national trends. Policies put in place in Washington may take weeks or months to reach this corner of the state.
But the mandatory spending cuts — known as sequestration — have already made an impact.
The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, who were scheduled to hit town on March 13 as part of their concert tour, have canceled their remaining shows.
“We realize that this is a great disappointment to tour patrons and our loyal sponsors who have worked very hard to bring your United States Navy Band to their communities,” said Capt. Brian Walden, U.S. Navy Band commanding officer, in a letter to city officials. “We share your disappointment as we renew our dedication to remaining good stewards of public funds.”
Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium general manager Jeff Wilbert said he was surprised and disappointed by the news, as the show was already a big attraction.
“We’d given out in excess of 800 seats. People were really looking forward to coming to the show,” Wilbert said. “Capt. Walden was very apologetic, and checked with his higher-ups to see if they could go ahead and do the four shows they had to cancel. They said no, because of the budget cutbacks.”
In fact, Walden’s official cancellation letter goes further into the depth and width of the cuts.
“The U.S. Navy now faces an additional $4-5 billion cut for this year alone — further reducing training and readiness. Because sequestration was triggered in March — nearly halfway through the fiscal year — the Navy must absorb the additional cut in only a few months. Sequestration removes any chance of flexibility when it comes to managing these cuts — no room to maneuver. Be ready means be safe — in this time of fiscal uncertainty, we have to manage these changes while minimizing risks to our force and to our mission,” Walden said in the letter.
Wilbert said that anything related to the Armed Forces typically draws a large crowd, and this particular group cancelling caused some added frustration.
“The thing I’m disappointed in is the nursing homes usually bring some of their folks, who do not see many shows,” Wilbert said. “It’s disappointing, because I know Medicalodges South was going to bring in a couple of folks in wheelchairs. I had to call them and cancel.”
Ultimately, Washington gridlock created the sequester, and the sequester created headaches for those excited to hear the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters.
“It’s important for the community to know,” Wilbert said. “The community probably thinks nothing in these can affect a town like Pittsburg. But this shows that it can and it does.”
