Beware Of Folksy Presenters, And More...

To the Editor:
We have enjoyed reading The Freeman’s Journal coverage about the proposed MSG music festival. I must admit that I have partaken of such rock concerts in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and am aware of their unique appeal.
Four things seem to stand out:
1. Presenter – When going for an approval in a rural area, it is standard operating
procedure to use a folksy presenter.
So the local “face” of MSG is a casually dressed Canadian. Most of what he has told the audiences appear to be vague unregulated
equivocations.
MSG can put on whatever acts they want – heavy metal, rap – without restriction, as a matter of constitutional law.
And there is no way that they could limit to the number of people that attend - since some people will trespass.
2. Acoustics – MSG has said that “you will not be able to hear the concert two miles south” since the speakers will be pointed north.
Sound dispersion is a function of wind direction, not just the orientation of the speakers.
So if the wind is blowing hard out of the north, you could easily hear a band all the way into Cooperstown. “Sympathy for the Devil” at midnight.
Springfield and Richfield Springs will of course be inundated with noise.
3. Trespassersrespassers – Any freeloader will be able to hear the bands outside the boundaries of the venue - as trespassers on neighboring properties. At night. In the woods. In the late ‘60s, this is how we went to concerts for free. Such trespassers will be policed by whom? The Springfield constabulary?
4. Pollution – The main source of pollution in a campsite this size will be run-off, i.e. muddy, polluted water. There is no way to keep this from going into the lake - short of a dam of sufficient size to hold all run-off during a rain. Is MSG going
to impound 1,000 acres+ of run-off?
The town needs an independent consultant
to address all aspects of the pollution involved, including noise and light pollution.
Next time MSG makes a presentation, imagine the presenter is a corporate lawyer, in a dark suit, mumbling out of the side of his mouth.
Cheney style.
That might be a more accurate image of what the towns are dealing with.
JAMES NORTHRUP
Cooperstown

Labels: Letters to the Editor