quote:

Originally posted by dEsidEL and then the Inuits will start complaining..

Note the use of the politically correct term inuit

I guess that means that next years WEMF wont be in clearview? Maybe it should be right on the town line of Clearview and the neighbouring district, just so that all those whiney bastards have to listen to it anyway. But really, the organizers adjusted EQ and volume levels and still there were complaints? Im sure the crickets make more noise than a rave 10 kms away...*shakes head*

I'm deeply distressed to hear this but I can't say it was a total surprise. It’s definitely not the business owners complaining. It’s those old fokkers over there that don't want many young people hanging around their town. They just don’t care about how much money it brings in. On top of that, they hear nothing but bad things about the rave scene so obviously they'll do anything to preserve the “sanctity” of their town. Damn ignorant bastards!!

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SHUT UP AND DANCE !!

destiny did everything to keep the noise down. i mean, that's why the garage doors were kept closed and it was so hot in there.

why weren't these noise complaints directed right to the organizer as soon as it started bothering people.

i mean it would be like me calling the cops on someone next door that clinks a dish in the sink at 11:01 p.m.

quote:

Originally posted by StereoPrincess ... someone next door that clinks a dish in the sink at 11:01 p.m.

OOOh I HATE that sound

Life is all about seeing things from other people's perspectives.

From their side, I see where they're coming from. They're old, grumpy, and their balls are hanging lower than their knees. They have a right to vent some frustration...

This is Canada, the same rights that enabled us to party @ WEMF is the same right they have to complain, so take it easy.

It is annoying though. It'd be different if WEMF was an unorganized, chaotic, town destroying event.

quote:

Originally posted by cap Life is all about seeing things from other people's perspectives. From their side, I see where they're coming from. They're old, grumpy, and their balls are hanging lower than their knees. They have a right to vent some frustration... This is Canada, the same rights that enabled us to party @ WEMF is the same right they have to complain, so take it easy. It is annoying though. It'd be different if WEMF was an unorganized, chaotic, town destroying event.

Except that when its only a few old farts as opposed to thousands of people. Also that the night was only a one off. If it happened a lot then that would be different.

Problem is people are so damned selfish that they cant close the window for even one night. "its my right to be able to open my window without noise 365 days per year dammit"

There's something fishy about this

The bylaw enforcer was THERE, and voiced his concerns, and the volume was adjusted for the main stage posing the problem. The bylaw officer then said he got 12 complaints, but did not communicate this information to event organizers?

With all these complaints, I would figure the private stereos and renegade tents would be shut down, but alas, they went on all night.

I couldn't even hear the main stages from my tent.

Also, similar complaints are raised every year about the Elvis festival, but they are brushed aside because the Elvis Festival brings Collingwood so much $$$$ (note, Collingwood and Clearview have different bylaws)

ALSO, the town of Wasaga Beach is taking action against the recent Wakestock event.

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here is my letter, please give me some input and ideas and I will mail it Monday!




Dear Mayor Fran Sainsbury,

It has been brought to my attention that charges will be pressed against Destiny Productions for noise bylaw violations at the World Electronic Music Festival (WEMF). As a WEMF attendee, WEMF performer, and Clearview resident, I am deeply saddened by this decision.

Firstly, as an attendee of this festival, I would like to address how important this festival is to me, personally. Electronic music is somewhat taboo in this particular region (as in Clearview and area), so the opportunity to gather with thousands of fans who share your passion is rare. I look back at the most recent festival at the GNE, and I see probably one of the most exciting, thrilling, and emotionally moving weekends of my young life. Electronic music culture is not about drugs, even though that’s what it has been made out to be by popular media, it’s about unity and music. That is why I go to these types of parties – to experience the music I love with the people I love. I am not the only one who has the opinion either. We were not at the GNE to get trashed and trip out to blips and bleeps. I think it is important that you (as someone who probably has not experienced this culture first hand) understand this first, because like I mentioned, the media has shown us to be a drug obsessed culture, and the local media coverage of WEMF 2004 was no different.

Second, I want to comment on the experience as a performer at this event. As a performer, I know many of the promoters, and met many during the festival. I was also more familiar with noise rules within the fairgrounds than the averaged festival goer, because my performance stage was directly affected by the noise regulations. In the event of complaints after 11pm, security would move through the campground and vendor area, shutting down personal stereos that were not operated by Destiny Productions. Now, the Collingwood Connection reported that bylaw enforcer Wes Prosser voiced concerns during the festival about noise from one the stages. Destiny immediately adjusted sound levels for the stage to meet noise bylaw requirements. This establishes that Wes Prosser was at the festival, and communicating with the staff in charge. Now, it is easier to have security do a sweep through the campgrounds and shut down stereos than adjusting the levels and EQ settings mid-show, so I believe event staff would have gladly done the security sweep if complaints were received. Why did Prosser not communicate these complaints to event staff? It has been established he was there and in communication with the staff. Destiny was very rigorous at communicating the 11pm no-stereo rule leading up to the event, so I find it hard to believe they would not have enforced the rule had complaints been received. To me, it sounds like Destiny cooperated fully, and bylaw enforcement did not. You might claim incompetent security staff? You should know it is the same security staff that managed SARS-stock in Toronto last year. I’d finally like to point out (as someone who stayed in the campgrounds) that I could not hear the main (event-sponsored) sound systems from my tent.

Lastly, I want to address this issue as a Clearview resident. Actually, I consider myself a Collingwood resident because of my close proximity to the town line (100m). I live along Hurontario St, and every year, my family and I endures the Elvis Festival. It is loud, it is unpleasant, it disrupts our lives, and that’s nothing compared to the residents of downtown Collingwood. But, I recognize the fact it is three days out of my life, and thousands of people are having a good time because of it. I am by no means an Elvis fan, and I wouldn’t care much if the event was cancelled, but I am not one to call in noise complaints and ruin a good time for thousands of people. I am sure people do end up calling in noise complaints, but I doubt they would ever shut the festival down because of 12 complaints. I also recognize the money this festival brings every year. I ask you to recognize the same. I am sure business owners near the GNE would love to tell you what business was like during the festival. Or maybe you could call up business owners in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, the host of a previous World Electronic Music Festival. Many business owners have gone on the record commenting on the great business the festival brought to the town.

I am sure Destiny would be interested in sharing ideas regarding the increased incorporation of local businesses into the festival, because Destiny would be interested in holding this event at the GNE again and again for many years to come? Why? Because the location is great! The biggest highlight this year was the quality of the location – the GNE, Wasaga Beach, everything! However, with the proposed special event bylaws combined with these ridiculous charges may turn the festival away from Clearview, and towards other townships that are more interested in the potential income, and more tolerant of music and culture. I think if Clearview works with Destiny, it could be a definite win-win situation like the Elvis Festival has done with Collingwood.

The negative reactions to the World Electronic Music Festival, and Wakestock feels like the anti-youth sentiment that has somehow taken ahold of this area. Do not deny it is there, because it is there, and I know many people, include myself, who have experienced this sentiment first hand. I have been kicked out of stores for no reason, been treated rudely by senior citizens, among other things. I do not dress in a threatening way either (no bandanas, baggy pants, etc.). Please do not give in to this anti-youth attitude, and in fact help discourage it. Because when I see 12 older folks given more voice and power than 8000 young adults, I don’t see democracy, I see bigotry.

Thank you for your time, and I hope I can communicate my points effectively.

Sincerely,




Matt Marshall

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quote:

at the GNE again and again for many years to come?

Might want to fix the ? into a . but otherwise well said Matt.


The unfortunate thing is the powers that be, especially in small towns, are very small groups with access to the higher ups in the OPP and Provincial Parliment. I can assure you that the OPP is most likely the driving force behind this, as they deem it their personal mission to stomp out any large youth oriented event, no matter how professional it is.

USe the vote!

Threaten to make this an election issue and communicate to them that you will be actively organizing a youth vote against this mayor unless the ridiculous charges are dropped. Talk to the mayor as a voter, not as a partier/DJ/kid.

The only reason they are taking action is because they feel that 12 votes are much more important than your non-vote.

This is why its important that young people vote in ALL elections including municpal. If this persists you should run for mayor just to make a point.

great letter Matt...everyone else who feels strongly about this issue should write something similar. It doesn't have to get combatitive...it just needs to be reasonable (like Matt's letter).

Since no one there is going to give a shit about the party goers from out of town (this is a local bylaw issue, after all) why doesn't someone do exactly what he suggests...contact the business owners. Drum up LOCAL support for the festival.

If only 12 people complain, but many more support it, maybe the complainers will just have to suck it up and have to endure WEMF, Elvis, or whatever.

A petiton for major isues at a Federal level, for example, often serve only a symbolic purpose...but on a small local level, it could be significant.

So...who's going to organize it? Who feels so strongly that they won't just sit back and complain? I hope Destiny at least approaches the business owners who profit from such festivals being there...

It doesnt have to be combative but politicians listen a little more intentively when votes are on the line. This is exactly the reason why they feel the can pick on this event and get a way with it.