For politicians, a premium for parades

Everybody loves a parade. And in this parade-happy town, where there's one for just about every neighborhood, ethnic origin or holiday, politicians love them so much that they'll pay to be in them. Especially in an election year.

While regular folks and organizations participate in many parades around the city for free, politicians who are considered captive participants are almost always charged for the privilege and are required to shell out hundreds for the opportunity to wave at constituents from amid the heraldry.

''We're the cheapest form of advertisement that any candidate or wannabe candidate can get," said Ed Crowley, organizer of the annual Dorchester Day Parade.

Some even pay extra to assure prime placement. Consider last week's Bunker Hill parade, where a $1,000 ''donation" -- offered by State Representative Eugene L. O'Flaherty, of Chelsea, Councilor Paul J. Scapicchio of East Boston, and City Council candidate Althea Garrison of Dorchester -- secured a spot near the front. Other politicians who made donations of $200 found themselves farther back.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino never pays. Because of his position, he's usually placed at the head of the parade as a courtesy.

''As the chief executive officer of the city, I have the honor of leading the parade," Menino said. ''It's a great tradition in the city. I don't make the rules."

He hastened to add that he helps raise money for parade organizers.

''I don't just stand in the sidelines and bask in the glory of the parade," he said. ''I help them."

Still, his challenger is hopping mad about it. Councilor at Large Maura A. Hennigan, whose campaign forks over thousands a year for parades, festivals, and other community events, said Menino should pay as other politicians do.

''I'm shocked," she said this week after learning that the mayor gets to march for free. ''It's an election year, and he's campaigning for his position. He should not use the perks of his office to get an unfair advantage. These events are a lot of money, $300 or $500. But that's pennies to him, given his very bulging war chest. It's a sacrifice for us, but we're happy to do it."

While some politicians are fastidious about their payments, registering and issuing checks well beforehand, others are less so. Organizers of the June 5 Dorchester Day parade said they are still waiting for their $150 fees from Councilor Charles C. Yancey and Councilor at Large Felix D. Arroyo.

''I support the Dorchester Day parade," Yancey said. ''If they send me a bill, I'll pay it. Maybe it's been sent."

Said an Arroyo aide, Kyle Robidoux: ''Councilor Arroyo plans to pay the fee for the Dorchester Day parade immediately."

Nearly all parades single out politicians to pay, but no two parade organizers have the same rationale.

''We did it because the other parades were doing it," said Arthur Hurley, organizer of the Bunker Hill parade in Charlestown, adding that politicians who don't cough up the cash can still take part, ''at the end . . . without signs."

But ''nobody does that," he conceded. ''If they don't have $200, they have bigger problems."

Some said it's been done so long that they can't quite remember a reason.

''That's a good question," said Dino DiFronzo, who organizes the North End Columbus Day parade along with co-organizer Daniel Toscano. ''It's handed down over years and years."

He added: ''We consider it more a donation than a marching fee."

The fees levied on politicians, together with financial contributions from the city, are typically used to help defray the cost of bands and floats, several parade organizers said. As for politicians, most seem to view the charges as just another part of the high cost of running for office. Virtually all pay out of their campaign accounts, according to campaign finance records.

''We're easy pickings," said Councilor at Large Stephen J. Murphy, who estimates that his campaign spends more than $2,000 a season to march. ''We can't say no. I think it's important. You have to march down the street and be seen. Plus, you don't want to be the only one who wasn't there."

Some parade organizers said they take careful note of who shows up and who doesn't. While Menino is a well-known fixture at many parades and festivals, organizers of the Puerto Rican and Caribbean parades said the mayor seldom if ever attends theirs.

''We do vote, and we do take notice of who marches and who participates," said Tony Molina, organizer of the Puerto Rican Festival. ''He [the mayor] doesn't participate. I always wonder why. Those who don't want to participate, it's their loss. People will see them and see they take an interest in our community. I want to vote for someone who I feel respects my culture and respects me."

Despite the political importance of parades and the willingness of politicians to pay thousands each year to march, politicians don't necessarily like them.

''I would pay not to have to march," quipped Councilor John Tobin of West Roxbury. ''I have a radical idea for parades: The people in the parade get to stand still, and the spectators have to walk by us.''