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.