GOOD THINGS CAME FROM MUSIC FESTIVAL, TOO

Dear Editor,

I am the director of the non-profit medical responder service that provided
coverage to the World Electronic Music Festival, July 8 to 10. I am writing
in regard to the article, Raving mad about dance fest and the editorial
comment, Event caused much damage (The Banner, July 15).

I have been working at these kinds of events for the past five years. While
I'm appalled at the incidents you mentioned, as are the event's organizers
and any patrons that know about them, the statistics have to be put into
context. There were five very stupid individuals among 5,000 decent people
who just came to have a good time and leave peacefully. What's more, many
of those things have never before happened at a WEMF. Could you bring
together even a third of that many spectators to something like a tractor
pull, with a bar for one night and not have any issues of this nature?

On an early excursion around the agricultural society's property, one of
the staff there told me that some of the local youth use the grounds "as
they please" (referring to driving around, loitering etc.) and do not ask
anyone's permission.

He was shocked that I identified myself and asked to go through the site.
Since I have yet to deal with an IV drug user at a rave, I would suggest to
you that any accusation regarding needles being found is either completely
false or is in fact the property of some of those same locals. Further, is
joy riding something that never happens in Orangeville? I think the OPP
might disagree.

You have no idea how upset the other event attendees are about this matter.
It's all over the Internet now and everyone wants the name of the person
responsible to ban them permanently from any event, anywhere. I can assure
you ravers don't like people who behave that way any more than your readers
do. I noticed however that no mention was made of the measures that WEMF
organizers took to provide a vehicle for the victim of the theft.

It does WEMF and its supporters absolutely no good to alienate or upset the
local population so why would they do so intentionally? Every patron I
spoke to was very excited and grateful to be at Orangeville Fairgrounds.
This was by far one of the best venues for this kind of event. Plenty of
room and fantastic buildings to house the sound stages. They were full of
very positive things to say. I think if you look at what WEMF organizers
have tried to do with this event, the planning and hard work behind it, you
will see it is far safer and better laid out than most other large music
events (electronic, rock or otherwise) anywhere in North America. The OPP
and others were happy for the event to go ahead because of the precautions
that were taken.

And don't discount the positive impact on the local economy! The attendees,
many from the U.S. and other parts of Canada, are bringing new money to the
area. They have no other reason for being anywhere near Orangeville except
WEMF. How much money? Five thousand people buying gas, ice, food, camping
supplies, etc. Even the local Tim Hortons was pretty much cleared of
inventory at a WEMF a couple of years ago. What about overtime hours for
your local OPP? They were paid for by the event itself. All this just means
more dollars coming through into local business.

Disturbances at previous events? Last year there was apparently only one
noise complaint. One! I couldn't even have a late evening barbecue in my
neighbourhood without at least one complaint. Obviously, the aim is always
none. Maybe if WEMF had a permanent home, there would be an incentive to
find creative ways to reduce any noise bleed from the venue. This is
something that could be monitored closely and regulated. And for the
record, the music stopped very early Sunday morning. I know because I was
there until 3 p.m. that afternoon.

For our part, my team is responsible for caring for anyone that is ill or
injured on site. Any serious cases are sent to hospital. The only ambulance
transport that left the festival was actually an Orangeville man in his
late 20s. He injured himself accidentally and was sent as a precaution
only. And he was the only one. Surely if the event was so out of control
with drugs and alcohol, there would have been ambulances lined up along
Fifth Sideroad. They were not.

Why doesn't your publication try to bring the many sides on this issue
together to find common ground instead of propagating mistrust and anger?
If WEMF doesn't come back to Orangeville next year, nobody wins.

Adam Hobbs, Emergency Medical Responders