SF Supes Respond To Dismal Report On Future Of Blue Angels, Fleet Week

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - Two San Francisco supervisors, with two very different viewpoints, offered an early response to a published report suggesting that federal budget woes could spell the end of San Francisco's Fleet Week.

That was the gist of an internal memo reportedly circulated by the U.S. Navy last month, suggesting that sequestration - or across the board federal budget cuts - would mean slashing all of the funds for the famed flying squadron, the Blue Angels, in the second half of the 2013 calendar year.

According to the report, the Navy would have to ground 30 scheduled shows, including October's Fleet Week - which attracts an estimated 1 million to San Francisco.

"Fleet Week is a very significant event in the City," pointed out Supervisor Scott Wiener. "It brings a lot of people in, generates a lot of economic activity and it's a fun time for a lot of people. So, we need to make sure that keeps happening."

"I'm not a big fan of the Blue Angels, actually," acknowledged Supervisor John Avalos. "I would rather they didn't fly over our City. They can fly over the Bay for all I care. I think it's probably one potential good thing that could come out of their not being here."

For his part, Mayor Ed Lee has been quoted as warning of a dire financial hit for San Francisco if Fleet Week doesn't happen.

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