GOING TO POT

My wife and I attended a beautiful wedding and reception that was held on
one of the Gateway Clipper boats that sail from Station Square. Also that
evening was a Rusted Root concert at the IC Light Amphitheater. Because of
this parking was a challenge.

In the course of the long walk from my car to the boat and later from the
boat to my car, we observed the open and widespread use of drugs. There
were many groups of young people just sitting on the ground smoking pot and
passing the joint around to the next youngster. I saw white powder being
snorted ­ not once but several times, and alcohol was everywhere, even in
the cars leaving the parking lot. Coincidentally, there was a young person
(whose accuracy I trust) who attended the concert who said it was worse on
the inside.

I never saw one of Pittsburgh's finest, anywhere. There were a couple of
the security guards but they were ignoring the situation right in front of
their noses. We complain a lot about what the police do, but here is a case
of them not doing what they should.

As a parent, I would suggest that all teen-agers not be allowed to attend
the shows until there is some assurance from Mayor Tom Murphy that the laws
will be enforced.

The public also should be apprised of what will be done to stop this kind
of blatant public disregard for the laws. We all can shrug our shoulders
and say, "The President does it so it must be OK for others." Modeling good
behavior has to start somewhere. Why not Pittsburgh?

Ken Cuccinelli, Gibsonia