The State - News from Nov. 24, 1986

Organizers of the Golden Gate Bridge’s 50th anniversary celebration are $737,000 in the red even though they have scaled down party plans and fired 15 of 20 staff members. The Friends of the Golden Gate Bridge have spent $227,333 in the last four months while raising only $133,600. The group’s biggest debt is a $700,000 loan from bridge district toll coffers, 70% of which must be paid Dec. 31. James Bronkema, chairman of the group, said, however, that he is confident that the problems soon will be solved by large corporate donations. The group is trying to raise $6 million for the celebration, of which $2.5 million will be used to permanently light the bridge towers and deck.