SHOWDOWN LOOMS OVER STARKS ORDINANCE

STARKS - The town of Starks and the Maine Vocals are heading toward a
showdown over the town's new mass-gathering ordinance.

And David Crook, district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec
counties, is weighing in on the side of the town.

For a decade, Maine Vocals, a group which advocates the legalization
of marijuana, has held festivals in Starks to promote the
legalization of marijuana, including Hempstock during the month of
August. That event draws over 7,000 people annually, according to
festival organizers.

An ordinance adopted this year aims to place tighter controls on mass
gatherings in town, legislating maximum noise levels and minimum
sanitation and parking standards. It also requires that organizers
apply for a permit 45 days in advance.

Violations of that ordinance could result in a $50,000 fine,
according to Crook, who said his office will help enforce the measure.

Cathy Cole, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen, said town officials
have asked Crook, police and other state agencies for help in
ensuring the ordinance is followed.

Two Maine Vocals events are scheduled to take place in Starks over
the next two months. Freedom Fest is scheduled for July 20-22 and
Hempstock is scheduled for Aug. 16-19.

"They haven't even come in and gotten the application. The deadline
has come and gone," Cole said.

In previous years, residents have been forced to deal with loud
music, trespassing and other problems, including cars parked in their
driveways and festivalgoers invading the privacy of their yards,
including using them as outdoor toilets, law-enforcement officials
say.

Cole said town officials are not trying to stop the events, only
address the health and safety issues.

"There is no reason on earth (the Maine Vocals) can't have their
festival, and we can't all live in harmony," she said.

Donald Christen of Madison, a founder of the Maine Vocals, said his
organization does not have to comply with the ordinance because it
has held festivals for years before the ordinance was approved.

He said the ordinance amounts to an effort to "snuff out" the Maine Vocals.

"If they think they can just legislate somebody out of existence,
they are mistaken," Christen said.

Earlier this month, the Vocals were forced to cancel an event in
Pownal after the Cumberland County district attorney warned the owner
of the land on which the festival was slated to take place that his
property could be confiscated as a result of illegal drug use.

The Maine Vocals is a nonprofit organization working to legalize
marijuana, Christen said. He said the Vocals use festivals as a
chance to network, educate, and raise funds.

"We are abiding by Maine law and we have been since we have been in
existence, except for the fact that we disagree with marijuana laws
and there has been plenty of civil disobedience," he said.

He said he would not back down, even in the face of the threat of fines.

"Where are we going? Our back is up against the wall," Christen said.

Crook said the Starks ordinance is not trying to stop Christen, only
make sure his festivals are better run.

For years, he said the town has had to put up with extremely loud
noises and other problems because of the festivals.

"There has been what amounts to a plea for help from the town. How
can I ignore it?" he asked.

While the Vocals advocate for legalizing marijuana, he said nobody is
targeting Christen.

"Every official has gone out of their way to ensure that he has the
right of free speech and free assembly ... but he will comply with
the laws of the town of Starks," Crook said.