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Krewes Bemoan Loss Of Gonzmarts Over DJ Comment

Tribune photo by JASON BEHNKEN

The Sant' Yago Illuminated Knight Parade rolled through Tampa on Feb. 16.

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2008

TAMPA -- Representatives of other krewes hope two members of a prominent and influential family in the Gasparilla festival reconsider their resignation over a disc jockey's remarks during this year's pirate invasion.

Richard and Casey Gonzmart resigned from the Krewe of the Knights of Sant' Yago after hearing a DJ on the krewe's vessel entice a woman to bare her breasts for beads during the invasion.

The brothers' family founded the krewe four decades ago.

"I wish they had not resigned and hope they will reconsider," said Roger Michels, founder and president of the Krewe of Chasco.

Instead, the brothers should have remained on the krewe and worked to change behavior, Michels said.

The DJ was hired by Sant' Yago for the invasion and was onboard the krewe's boat when he urged a woman to "show us your boobies" in return for beads. The DJ was using a loud speaker system on the boat.

Had that happened with a disc jockey hired by the Krewe of Mambi, it would be the last thing heard from the DJ that day, said Jose Berenguer, Mambi's president.

"I would immediately take the mike away and would never hire him again," Berenguer said.

The Krewe of Sant' Yago will not hire that disc jockey again, said the krewe's baron, or president, Dan Haya, Jr.

The Gonzmarts thought Haya should resign over the incident, and when he did not, the brothers resigned. Haya said he did not hear the DJ's remarks but did not doubt Richard Gonzmart's account.

David Varrieur, captain and founder of the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce Krewe of Seville, said there is no place in Gasparilla events for such behavior.

The DJ should have been fired immediately, Verrieur said. "You have to make sure the few don't spoil it for the many," he said.

Varrieur called the Gonzmarts' resignations unfortunate and hoped the brothers would reconsider.

Women exposing their breasts in return for beads has been linked to Gasparilla for years, but urging women to flash should not be part of the parades, Varrieur said.

"There's no place for that," he said.

He said he saw nothing like that during the two parades the Krewe of Seville took part in this year.

"We saw no poor behavior, no raucous behavior or nudity," Varrieur said.

The disc jockey for the Krewe of Chasco is not likely to call for any women to reveal their breasts, Michels said.

"We have a lady DJ who's pure as snow," he said.

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