Posted on 03/15/2006 9:24:54 PM PST by tgslTakoma
FAYETTEVILLE) - Fayetteville is known as a town that supports the military, but there are some there who support bringing the troops home now.
The city has had an anti-war rally at Rowan Park every year since the war began, but that almost didn't happen this year.
The park might have been quiet Wednesday afternoon, but by Saturday, crowds will fill be filling up the park. Just like in previous years, protestors will stage an anti-war rally, marking the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion into Iraq.
This year’s event would have looked a lot different if members of a pro-war group had been able to keep their reservation for the park.
"We had the park and we wanted to do something positive to support the troops families, but that wasn't as important as an anti-war protest which hurts the troops' families," said Lynn Huber, a member of the North Carolina chapter of the Free Republic.
City officials said politics had nothing to do with their decision. They said a member of Free Republic made the application for a 200-person picnic, but that person did so as a private citizen, so city officials didn't know the organization was involved.
Officials added that because the anti-war group is expecting thousands of people, officials decided it would be easier to secure that crowd in the park.
The rally is still expected to end up at Rowan Park, although marchers will be taking a different route to get here. Organizers said they are expecting fewer people this year because there are more events planned across the country. The police department said these minor changes don't affect what they plan to do.
"We're still going to have about 100 of our Fayetteville police officers out there. And, we'll also have officers from other agencies like the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Wilmington police, Gaston County police, and other agencies like the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office will be assisting us with crowd control and making sure everyone's got a nice safe outing,” said Sgt. Steve McIntosh, a member of the Fayetteville Police Department.
Members of Free Republic, along with other supporters of the war, said they still plan on coming out to make their voices heard.
Protestors have extended their permit this year to start at 7 a.m. instead of 12 p.m., so people will have more time to set up. Police officials said they plan to be out there before then making sweeps with their bomb dogs.
Can't make this either - bridal shower. Someday my life will become manageable again.
I wonder if a local person from the Fayetteville house of the Society for Creative Anachronism, for example, had applied for the park as an individual and they subsequently found out it was a Scadian event, if tehy would revoke that permit.
Any guesses?
We should seek out the ACLU, just to point out their hypocrisy when the DON'T take it. (Setup? Yes, but a worhty one.) Then talk to "The Great One," "F.Lee" Levin, if he's not too busy telling you to get off the phone (nice ripoff from Bob Grant, BTW.)
We should put intense pressure on the RNC, the RNCC, the NRSC, and otehr entities to put it back on the air.
Uh-huh.
They just need to put some newspapers on the floor over in the corner...
Everything will be just fine. Permit? What permit? We don't need no STEENKIN Permit!!
They're just so clever that it hurts!
I don't get it. Was this to be some sort of official FR Chapter event? How can they deny a permit to someone because they happen to be a member of FR? Aren't the moonbats who secured permits also members of groups?
Was the uncashed check returned in September, while the leftists were allowed to fill out the permit application on August 25? I'm interested in the timing of events in the revocation of the pro-troops, pro-war permit.
Best of luck in the continuing battle against the dark forces of the anti-war, anti-American left. Give em WHAT For on Saturday.
God Bless Our Troops, God Bless President Bush and God Bless America!
FReep On!
The city issued a cancellation notice dated 10 August 2005. Following is the text of the letter in its entirety:
Due to a large community event we will be unable to accommodate the picnic reservation you made for the Rowan Park band shell for March 18 & 19, 2006. The facility will be unable for use on the date you requested due to a greater programming need and security accommodations for a large public event. There are several picnic shelters located nearby at Mazarick, Seabrook, and Honeycutt Parks on that date if you would like an alternate site at no charge. The band shell at Rowan is generally not used or rented for picnics. You may also change to the first available date at Rowan Park picnic shelter if you choose. Once arrangements have been confirmed we will process your refund.
In addition to these park facilities, we also have a variety of indoor, air-conditioned multipurpose rooms we could offer. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and look forward to accommodating you at the alternate location of your choice. If we have not heard from you within ten working days from the date of this letter we will proceed to initiate your rental refund and return your deposit. We appreciate your cooperation in the request.
Please call James McMillan or myself at (910) 433-1547 to make arrangements for any changes and a refund.
Thank you
Robert Barefoot
Chief Operating Officer
That letter was slated for return to the city by the US Postal Service on 06 Sep 2005, undelivered and unopened. It was certified mail.
As promised above, the city undertook the action of processing the rental refund for the 18 Mar 2006 date only, and issued a check for $150, which is the rent paid for one day at Rowan Park. Certified mail was again used to attempt to deliver a letter and refund receipt dated 27 Sep 2005. That letter was also returned to the city undelivered.
Here is the text of that letter:
Dear (name redacted);
Due to a large community event we will be unable to accommodate the picnic reservation you made for the Rowan Park band shell for March 18, 2006. The facility will be unable for use on the date you requested due to a greater programming need and security accommodations for a large public event. There are several picnic shelters located nearby at Mazarick, Seabrook, and Honeycutt Parks on that date if you would like an alternate site at no charge. The band shell at Rowan is generally not used or rented for picnics. You may also change to the first available date at Rowan Park picnic shelter if you choose.
In addition to these park facilities, we also have a variety of indoor, air-conditioned multipurpose rooms we could offer. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and look forward to accommodating you at the alternate location of your choice.
Per an earlier phone conversation with (name redacted) on September 21, 2005, a partial refund is being processed for the March 18th request. The reservation for March 19th will remain on hold for your use unless otherwise advised.
Please call James McMillan or myself at (910) 433-1547 to make arrangements for any changes.
Thank you
Robert Barefoot
Chief Operating Officer
The phone conversation referenced above is when our representative reaffirmed our intention to use Rowan Park on 18 March to feed, entertain, and comfort service members and their families. The city’s representative informed us that our event was canceled and that our refund would be processed. Our representative objected and was rebuffed.
Beware the acid!
I so love informative headlines. Which Fayetteville?
In North Carolina.
The number "200" should have been a clue that it was for a group, rather than for a private citizen.
The Parks and Rec dept is lying when they say they didn't know the event was being organized to Support the Troops.
The City unilaterally made the decision to give preferential treatment to a group that opposes the mission of most of the area's residents.
The City of Fayetteville welcomes the federal dollars that roll in courtesy of Fort Bragg on one hand, while insulting and slapping the troops and their families with the other.
South Carolina Ping
Add me to the list. | Remove me from the list.
"City officials said politics had nothing to do with their decision"
Balony! Every decision a city official makes deals with politics in one way or another.
You're coming, aren't you?
My retired father works at a public park run by a utility company. People can reserve pavilions or the community center for large groups, but at any time others may be in the area at tables which are not under the pavilions. Those tables are first-come, first-served, and people move them together if they have a larger group.
Just trying to understand if this works the same way.
LOL!! My thoughts exactly!
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