Lancaster's "Band Shell", "I never intended it to be for rock concerts"

[4248]

Supervisor Bob Giza stated, "I never intended it to be for rock concerts." When speaking of the new Band Shell located at the Senior Center-Youth Bureau on Oxford Avenue.

Lisa A.Johson of the Lancaster-Depew Substance Abuse Coalition is proposing and "Drug and Alcohol Free" concert. The Coalition would like to have the winners of the local "Battle of the Bands" put on a one hour concert.


Supervisor Giza and other Town Board Members are afraid, "Once youth hear that a band is playing, they would flock to the venue, and policing the crowd and security would become issues.

Board Members are worried, "about youth sneaking substances into the event and then Supervisor Giza spoke of his days as director of the Lancaster-Depew Boys and Girls Club." He stated, "Ive seen the good, the bad and the ugly." Referring to Lancaster's Boys and Girls Club Members.

The Coalition is seeking to, "Better serve our kids" - they want to, "promote positive ways to help our youth to steer clear of substance abuse."

Supervisor Giza stated, "We're scared we'll create a giant we can't control." -

It would appear he is afraid a group of seventh and 12th graders would become unmanageable because of possible drug and alcohol use!?

__________________________________________________ _____________

Because of his first hand knowledge, of how easy it has been for drugs to enter the Lancaster-Depew Boys and Girls Club as well as our schools.

Its understandable he fears such things. He has spent years denying there were any drug and alcohol problems there and in our schools.

Now he supports spending hundreds of thousands of tax dollars yearly to combat drugs/alcohol in schools. He still denies the problem!

Then when he wants to deny our youth a chance at a "drug and alcohol Free Concert" - he cant stop using this as a issue.


I say give our youth the benefit of the doubt and give them a concert.

Let them show the Town Leaders they can participate and have fun without the vices of their piers.

[gorja]

Originally posted by 4248:
I say give our youth the benefit of the doubt and give them a concert.

Let them show the Town Leaders they can participate and have fun without the vices of their piers.

Yeah, let the old Geezer earn his free health insurance premiums provided by the Boys and Girls club, by supporting the youth and let them use the band shell.

[Lee Chowaniec]

As someone who attended the Town Board work session when the rock concert venue was being discussed, I agree with Supervisor Giza’s position on crowd control concern, noise impact to the surrounding neighborhood and the possibility of drugs being present.


I disagree that a trial run should be held at Westwood Park for same reasons as holding it at the band shell. Sandy Robinson, member of the Lancaster-Depew Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition made some good points for the venue taking place at the band shell at the Youth Bureau. She fell short when she said she had three police that were willing to participate to maintain crowd control at an event that has the potential to have 1,500 participants. According to a council member those offers were made because the police would pick up overtime pay.

Council Member Mark Aquino had the best suggestion when voicing that the Battle of the Bands winner should appear at the Fourth of July venue where there is a main stage, large crowds, sufficient security and the necessary amplification for a rock band.

Lisa Johnson, Lancaster Bee Editor and Coalition Chair, voiced that the stage would be too close to the beer tent and would counter the coalition’s mission of discouraging substance abuse.

Aquino interjected that the band could play before the beer tent was open as it was only a one hour scheduled event.

I find it interesting in that over the years I have seen many children before on the main stage before the opening of the beer tent and if memory serves correct thereafter. The main stage at the Village of Lancaster Independence Day celebration seems to be the perfect fit for myriad reasons.

[granpabob]

when they built a band shell at the senior and youth center did they think only the seniors would want to use it. its at the youth center why cant the youth have thier music too.

[WNYresident]

As someone who attended the Town Board work session when the rock concert venue was being discussed, I agree with Supervisor Giza’s position on crowd control concern, noise impact to the surrounding neighborhood and the possibility of drugs being present.

Then why was it built?.. Seems like a waste of money. Now that a "band" wants to use the band shell noise is an issue?

[gshowell]

As someone who attended the Town Board work session when the rock concert venue was being discussed, I agree with Supervisor Giza’s position on crowd control concern, noise impact to the surrounding neighborhood and the possibility of drugs being present.


I disagree that a trial run should be held at Westwood Park for same reasons as holding it at the band shell. Sandy Robinson, member of the Lancaster-Depew Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition made some good points for the venue taking place at the band shell at the Youth Bureau. She fell short when she said she had three police that were willing to participate to maintain crowd control at an event that has the potential to have 1,500 participants. According to a council member those offers were made because the police would pick up overtime pay.

Council Member Mark Aquino had the best suggestion when voicing that the Battle of the Bands winner should appear at the Fourth of July venue where there is a main stage, large crowds, sufficient security and the necessary amplification for a rock band.

Lisa Johnson, Lancaster Bee Editor and Coalition Chair, voiced that the stage would be too close to the beer tent and would counter the coalition’s mission of discouraging substance abuse.

Aquino interjected that the band could play before the beer tent was open as it was only a one hour scheduled event.

I find it interesting in that over the years I have seen many children before on the main stage before the opening of the beer tent and if memory serves correct thereafter. The main stage at the Village of Lancaster Independence Day celebration seems to be the perfect fit for myriad reasons.

Just a few comments.

When the bandshell was being proposed, weren't we told that all kinds of entertainment and events would be held there? Or is my memory faulty.

I can see the board's point about the noise and security. In foresight and hindsight, it probably wasn't a good spot to put the bandshell. (Full disclosure, I made a donation towards it.)

This is a point that will draw howls of protest from some, but isn't there a bit of a correlation between rock music and drug use. Not all kids who listen to rock music take drugs, but some do. There's a certain segment of the population that likes to get high and go to a concert. Which leads me to my sympathy for the board's concern about security.

Yes, youth groups perform on the stage at the Villages Independence Days events, on the stage, near the beer tent. However, the aim of this group is keep kids away from drugs and alcohol. So Lisa has a valid point.

After everything I said, I'd still like to see the Lancaster-Depew substance abuse program be allowed to hold this concert in the band shell. What were they talking about, an hour or so of rock music?

Is it really going to be that bad?

I'd rather take my nephew's and nieces to a rock concert than the raceway. (Full disclosure, yeah the little b..... once in a while make me take them to the raceway.)

[4248]

As someone who attended the Town Board work session when the rock concert venue was being discussed, I agree with Supervisor Giza’s position on crowd control concern, noise impact to the surrounding neighborhood and the possibility of drugs being present.

I guess no neighbors complain about any other "Band Shell" events! Seems like Giza and Company are injecting issues to suit their personal agenda's.


I disagree that a trial run should be held at Westwood Park for same reasons as holding it at the band shell. Sandy Robinson, member of the Lancaster-Depew Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition made some good points for the venue taking place at the band shell at the Youth Bureau. She fell short when she said she had three police that were willing to participate to maintain crowd control at an event that has the potential to have 1,500 participants. According to a council member those offers were made because the police would pick up overtime pay.

Council Member Mark Aquino had the best suggestion when voicing that the Battle of the Bands winner should appear at the Fourth of July venue where there is a main stage, large crowds, sufficient security and the necessary amplification for a rock band.

Yes, lets lure possibly 1,500 youth to the Independence Day Festival. Tell them they can stay for about an hour, then they must leave because the adults will start drinking soon.

We can maybe even let them come earlier, spend their parents money, hear their concert, then be escorted out. Because we want to protect them from those who would give them drugs and alcohol.

God knows the adults who attend don't get drunk, rowdy or use any "Illegal Substances"



Lisa Johnson, Lancaster Bee Editor and Coalition Chair, voiced that the stage would be too close to the beer tent and would counter the coalition’s mission of discouraging substance abuse.

Aquino interjected that the band could play before the beer tent was open as it was only a one hour scheduled event.

I find it interesting in that over the years I have seen many children before on the main stage before the opening of the beer tent and if memory serves correct thereafter. The main stage at the Village of Lancaster Independence Day celebration seems to be the perfect fit for myriad reasons.

The Town Board is using every excuse they can find to forward their agenda. They even brought out the dreaded "Police Over Time" issue - are they saying the Police don't get over time pay for other events - are they saying the Police don't get paid for being at the Independence Day Festival?

Smoke and mirrors, less than honest show of concern. Drugs and alcohol have a higher likely hood of being in the crowd at the Festival than at any teenage one hour concert.

Quit painting our youth with your fears created by other peoples actions !

Quit short changing Lancaster's Youth. Maybe if the Town Board could figure away to get a quiet benefit from the concert, then they'd be for it.

[shortstuff]

I think the band shelter should be used for the event in question. I think and it is only my opinion only, Giza probably realized that he was going to be the only controlling the events in the shelter, oops others might express interest and if it does not apply to Giza's interest~~~oops oh well..... another selective choice right people.....

[gorja]

Originally posted by gshowell:
After everything I said, I'd still like to see the Lancaster-Depew substance abuse program be allowed to hold this concert in the band shell. What were they talking about, an hour or so of rock music?

I agree. What's an hour or so? Like me; I'm old and don't appreciate hard rock. If in that situation, I would take that hour to mow and weed whack, go shopping, go out to dinner. If my grandchildren were older, I'd invite them over to listen to a free concert in the yard.

An hour or so is no big deal. How much hooch can they smoke in an hour? Is the band shell area smoke free like the parks?

[Lee Chowaniec]

Before casting dispersions and opinions based on what was wirtten in the Lancaster Bee, it may help to read a more detailed report on what transpired at the Town Board work session. That has been posted on the front page.

[hawkeye]

The process started some time ago and Giza was blowing his horn on how great it would be for the residents (voters), to enjoy a night of music and EVERYONE could benefit from the band shelter. But from day one before all this crap came to the front, KIDS and the loud music Giza was dancing around any question about kid bands and that LOUD music. Giza Never thought of any issues and just like purchasing a coldcraft building it a good deal and WHAT is the problem???????? The kids were never going to be allow to use it and that's it!!!!!!!!! Just remember VOTERS not for your kids but for the SENIOR VOTE!!!!!!!!! Gizzers loves the VOTING residents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lee Chowaniec]

I find it ironic that the group pushing the town on having the rock band concert at the band shell is none other than the Depew-Lancaster Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, an organization that does much good for the community youth and receives heavy support from numerous town sponsored organizations and volunteers.

I also find it ironic that at the town board work session the concern was that 1,000 to 2,000 kids would attend the concert, the individual petitioning for use of the band shell said they would limit attendance to 500 if need be, and in the media we are reading that if 200 kids show up that would be all that would be expected.

I don't believe the concern here is what type of music is played for one hour on an early summer's night, but whether there is crowd control. Yes, even old geezers like myself like rock; after all our generation was introduced to it and we grew up loving it.

[4248]

How much money did it cost the tax payers of Lancaster for security and crowd control in the village for this weekends events?

How many paid Town and Village Employees were working it and how many received Over-Time related to it's preperation and clean up ?

How many Officers were assigned and how many were shifted there when calls came in? Like 11:30PM on the 3rd of July when four extra cars were called in as back up? How much was spent on Over-Time?


Crowd control is a issue contrived by the Town Board to justify their position!

Our Town Government is willing to spend millions to bail out the LaFarge Company - to acquire land for "Future" soccer fields. Fields that will not be built or usable for many years to come and only if future taxation allows its financing. Because that makes for good campaign literature.

Yet when our youth could have a one hour, drug and alcohol free concert - they feel its to much to handle.

I bet if those who wanted the concert were of voting age - the Town Board would be falling all over themselves to sponsor it.

[Lee Chowaniec]

4248;657203]How much money did it cost the tax payers of Lancaster for security and crowd control in the village for this weekends events?

I don't know, please tell me.

How many paid Town and Village Employees were working it and how many received Over-Time related to it's preperation and clean up ?

And your point is?

How many Officers were assigned and how many were shifted there when calls came in? Like 11:30PM on the 3rd of July when four extra cars were called in as back up? How much was spent on Over-Time?

How much? We all complain about overtime expenditures by the public sector when not required. I think this affair is a success because families feel comfortable and safe attending them.

Crowd control is a issue contrived by the Town Board to justify their position!

Not in this case where alcohol is on the premise.

Our Town Government is willing to spend millions to bail out the LaFarge Company - to acquire land for "Future" soccer fields. Fields that will not be built or usable for many years to come and only if future taxation allows its financing. Because that makes for good campaign literature.

The town did not pay for the LaFarge property.

Yet when our youth could have a one hour, drug and alcohol free concert - they feel its to much to handle.

Too much for who to handle? This is not a town sponsored event.

I bet if those who wanted the concert were of voting age - the Town Board would be falling all over themselves to sponsor it.

Their parents vote and it took some balls for the town to buck an organization (Depew-Lancaster Substance Abuse Program) that they are very supportive of. The crowd control concern is a valid one and the party petitioning for the use of the band stand offered no assurances of such control.

[4248]

I am not going to get into a Pi--ing match over this.

I support our youths rights to have a drug and alcohol free concert in the Lancaster tax funded band shell - you don't - end of my comments.