No Warships For 'Navy Days': Budget Cuts Cancel San Pedro Port Calls
SAN PEDRO (CBSLA.com) — A federal budget fight will keep a U.S. Navy warship from docking in San Pedro for this year's Los Angeles Navy Days.
A Navy destroyer as well as a guided missile frigate will not pay a port call to the annual event, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Navy spent $250,000 to send the USS Wayne E. Meyer to San Pedro in 2012, including over $128,000 in fuel costs, according to officials.
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents constituents in that area, told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO the cuts will likely result in an economic hit for hotels, restaurants and hundreds of other businesses.
"We are a military town down here in San Pedro, and any opportunity we can to highlight, recognize and celebrate our military family is critical for this area," Buscaino said.
Officials with the San Diego-based 3rd Fleet blamed sequestration and budget cuts for also keeping the ships from visiting the Portland Rose Festival, Seattle SeaFair, and the San Diego Fleet Week festivities.
Earlier this month, the Navy announced it had canceled the remainder of the elite Blue Angels demonstration team's 2013 season in Ventura, San Diego and San Francisco.
