Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Rowdy concert-goers get away with bad behavior

There are few things more valued in this world than a person one can count on. When that person says that things will be fixed, they will be fixed. We used to have that kind of person in charge of the amphitheater in Peachtree City.

A number of years ago we had a problem during a Friday night KC and the Sunshine Band concert. A bunch of people decided to leave their seats and roar down to stand in front of the stage. At least one fight ensued. The concert ended at about 11 that night, yet in the next day's mail was an apology from Kristi Rapson. She promised those of us in the gold section that this would never happen again. She stationed ushers at the gold section entrance to screen tickets and make sure people with seats did not wander to the front of the stage. And it never happened again under her supervision.

Fast forward to August 2003. A letter dated Aug. 13, 2003, from the current amphitheater director, Donna Romeo, addressed a reoccurrence of this "rushing the stage and obstructing the view of ... Gold Section patrons." A problem had occurred on Friday, Aug. 1, at the Pat Banatar concert and Ms. Romeo threatened that violators "could lose your right to renew your season tickets."

Faster forward to the Aug. 15 Peter Frampton concert. More drunks "rushing the stage" and even one overweight, alcoholic woman sitting on the wall on the front of the stage facing the crowd doing that very trite, long past trendy, overhead hand clap. Like anyone wanted to look at her.

I called Donna Romeo the next week to find out why this was allowed to happen and what was to be done with future concerts. All I got was, "We're discussing it." Why do you send out a letter threatening people, then doing absolutely nothing when they behave improperly? Great leadership.

Fastest forward to last Friday (Sept. 26). Once again, the over-boozed spectators come right down front, blocking the view of other ticket holders during the closing period of the Hall and Oats concert. Maybe it is just me, but it seems to as though someone in a front row seat should not need to stand up to be able to see the performers.

It seems as though the ethical glitches with the outgoing PTC Development Authority have filtered down to at least one underling. Promising retribution for violations, then sticking her head in the ground ostrich-style, is unacceptable for a public servant. If she is unwilling to attend to her responsibilities she should resign and be replaced by someone who will fulfill all her/his job duties.

Bill Webster

Peachtree City, Ga.