Rock Concert Tune-Up Held
Rock Concert Tune-Up Held Tue May 5, 1970
A tune-up for the expected hassling this summer over rock concerts in city parks was held at last night’s City Council meeting with the “Free Community Coalition” asking for city aid and support.
Peter Andrews of 531 N. Main, speaking for the youths, said facilities for Ann Arbor’s “youth culture” are lacking and that the situation is worse than it was a year ago. “We remain flexible, we simply ask that the city help us in attacking the problems.”
He asked specifically for free concerts at West Park but said if this was not possible another central location would be acceptable. One alternative mentioned was the Arboretum. Andrews said a survey shows that a “great percentage of West Park area residents favor the concerts.”
Robert E. Beyer of 1606 Shadford told council it is important to have programs which would alleviate problems. He said youth problems will become accentuated this summer. “Do we lead in this problem, or do we react,” he asked council, adding the city must avoid the situations which can lead to “police riots.”
“If there are not well thought out plans, Ann Arbor will become an armed camp,” Beyer added.
Another member of the “Free Community Coalition” invited councilmen to attend that group’s “free city council meeting” next Tuesday night. It was noted that normally these meetings are held on Monday but will be changed to 8 p.m. Tuesday to permit councilmen to attend and discuss problems.
Fifth Ward Councilman Lloyd Fairbanks today questioned the validity of the statement that 90 percent of West Park area residents endorsed the concerts. “From the number of phone calls and letters I have received, I must challenge the validity of those petitions.”
Noting that one speaker drew a parallel between the “rock concerts” and community band concerts of a few years ago, Fairbanks said “there seems to me to be significant differences between the groups represented yesterday evening, and the families attending the concerts of yesteryear.”
“To refuse to obey the laws of this city, and to suggest community disruption will occur if such requests are not granted, hardly seem to be representative of the people who used to turn Sunday into a time for expressions of thankfulness for national unity,” Fairbanks said.
Also, Fairbanks said he would work toward providing young people with an opportunity to have concerts “under a mutually and reasonably controlled atmosphere. Both parties to the agreement of concert permits must recognize the rights and concerns of our city as an entire community, and not place selfish requests at the forefront of negotiations.”