Mayor Paid Airfare For Joe Jackson

Mayor Clay said he offered to pay the airfare as well as that of the Chi-Lites so that the group could accompany Mr. Jackson.

"The Chi-Lites were out there in California mourning with the family and I thought it was good for them to appear here but also to kind of comfort Joe for being here. And they did that," he said.

The Gary Indiana memorial held at The Steel Yard baseball park drew more than 6,000 people. It featured performers singing and dancing Michael Jackson's hits. Joseph Jackson appeared onstage with Mayor Clay and others.

The city's money helped to pay Mr. Jackson, the Chi-Lites musical group and security from LA to the O'Hare International Apirport . Mayor Clay said that donations that have already been made or promised will cover all of the city's memorial expenses.

Even so, news of the city's funding the air travel angered one neighborhood group leader who cited it came not long after the city halted trash collection for 11 days until the city council approved a fee hike.

Kevin Carr, president of the Glen Ryan Neighbors Organization, called the city's $5,000 payment a "travesty" in the face of Gary's financial woes. He criticized both Clay for offering to pay and Mr. Jackson for accepting.

However, Doug Grimes, president of the Miller Citizens Corporation in Gary said that he expected few residents would be critical of the "peripheral" memorial expense for airfare despite the city's financial situation. He said that the residents are proud of Michael Jackson and glad that the city celebrated his life.

"I think people understand our financial condition, and they would be reluctant to say that the city did not perform properly when it recognized his accomplishments and the fact that this is his hometown," Grimes said.

A telephone call seeking comment from the Jackson family was left with a spokesperson.

Source: MJFC / AP