March 10 op-ed piece stating Gary owes apology to state police

[guymandude]

www.dailyfreeman.com/opinion/20150310/letter-mountain-jam-festival-promoter-owes-an-apology-to-state-police-captain



: 03/10/15, 5:51 PM EDT | 9 COMMENTS
Dear Editor:

Re “Mountain Jam founder promises changes to security for this year’s festival,” Feb. 21, 2015: The crux of the article appears to be the founder, Gary Chetkof, telling of the “major problems” that occurred with security. He states some were the excessive searches of attendees by security and then insinuates local police were at fault for putting pressure on festival security. “The festival cannot withstand anymore inappropriate behavior by its security or the state police,” Chetkof said.

He went on to state the festival had “also heard stories of local law-enforcement officials busting Mountain Jam attendees for smoking weed and, in some cases, appearing to ‘extort’ money by requiring their use of ATMs in order to pay fines.”

You cannot expect sworn police personnel to turn a blind eye toward drugs, or any other crime. That would be negligence. If they see a crime, or have other probable cause, they will make an arrest. A police officer ignoring a crime is malfeasance (official misconduct), which is a crime in itself, and could cost an officer their job.

State police Capt. Robert Nuzzo said he was surprised to hear Chetkof had issues with security and the involvement of local law enforcement.

I have known and had professional dealings with Capt. Nuzzo for approximately four years and find him to be the consummate professional. I would hope Chetkof would apologize to Nuzzo for casting aspersions on his fine character.

Sgt. Dave Fix (Ret.)

Syracuse Police Department

Kingston, N.Y.

RELATED CONTENT

“Hunter officials request police, ambulance reimbursement for Mountain Jam and Taste of Country festivals,” Feb. 25, 2015

“Robert Plant to perform at Mountain Jam in Hunter,” Jan. 14, 2015

“Black Keys to headline Mountain Jam, Dec. 12, 2014

“Mountain Jam arrests, mostly for drugs, exceed 60,” June 11, 2014

“State police make more arrests near Mountain Jam concert in Hunter,” June 11, 2013

“Police log drug arrests in Hunter,” June 4, 2012

“Captain defends state police presence at Mountain Jam festival,” Sept. 16, 2011

“Mountain Jam police presence concerns Hunter residents, officials,” Aug. 21, 2011

[hunterdrummer]

That cop is an ass... I have friends that are cops and they say crime happens all the time.. You don't need to bust everything that goes down..

Here's the F**KED up thing about all this...
The days after Mountain Jam the papers a littered with names of kids who got busted for weed.. Cops WAIT while the searches go down with their tongues hanging out..

The days after the Taste Of Country Festival the weekend after - where the cops are up front with fists raised from being stoked to the sounds - there is NO mention of ANY busts for Taste of Country.
And were talking weed busts - SEXUAL ASSAULTS - ASSAULTS WITH WEAPONS - Property destruction - PROSTITUTION..... Oh yeah.. that happened..

But the POOR hippies get the brunt of the bad f*king press here...

[hunterdrummer]

I challenge ANYONE to find a bust in the local paper  that went down at Taste of Country,

I wittnessed the tail end of a security guard being beat up so bad - he had to be rushed to the hospital..

ANY FUKCING MENTION!?!?!?! NO!!!!!!

But the poor kid from PA with a gram of weed... He's been publicly shamed..
The person I don't worry about I know about - the person who could do me harm - I'll never know who he is...

[jwoogie]

So not only does "Gary's letter" now mean nothing but on top of that the cops are pissed and now on a mission! Whoo hoo! Line- up cut w no mention of the other 11 or so bands (who i guess are too worthless in thier eyes to even mention) and now the cops have been given the go to get revenge on Gary! Mt Jam! Us? I love going to the mountain every year but this is the 1st year that I'm considering it being my last if I don't sell my tix before.

[hunterdrummer]

No mention of any of the arrests at Taste of Country..
None...

Taste Of County
www.dailyfreeman.com/search?text=%22taste+of+country%22+arrests

Mountain Jam
www.dailyfreeman.com/search?text=%22mountain+jam%22+arrests

[guymandude]

Jwoogie,

The original post was from the Op-Ed section from the local paper.  It was written by a retired Syracuse officer supporting the State Troopers position.  We don't know how old this retiree is and his stance on decriminalized pot.  From reading the opinioned piece, he's a bit negative towards music loving, weed toking hippies and he thinks thats what we all are.

I post the news to keep the board informed but I don't see it as a negative.  It was in response to Gary trying to work with local officials who then pointed their fingers at the State Troopers.  

I think Gary is doing a tremendous job trying to keep peace on three sides, the local, state and his customers

As for the lack of bands, personally, I have my tickets, I'm attending regardless of who is playing, if we get more included down the line then thats a bonus.  I'm going to shut down for a few days, recharge, make new friends and reconnect with some old ones.

As for the other festival, my opinion, thats not country music.  Its todays pop music.  I've never attended, nor will I ever, a country music festival, so I can't comment on how the Law singles out one group of music lovers over another.  I didn't get harrassed at MJ last year and I didn't see any of the problems others experienced.  I do believe what other people said happened to them, it can happen, I just didn't witness any...

[hunterdrummer]

My point is... the 2 festivals fans are treated differently..
And the police presence that affects us people living in hunter isn't as oppressive.. People can drive their kids to school and not get pulled over during the Taste Of Country.
We get bothered all the time just running errands in town... not cool..

So there IS a problem that affects many people... Not all - but many..

[jwoogie]

You make a great point! Things are a little weird this year but all in all I hope things work out for the best. There are a few leaks in the additions today and though I don't know why there hasn't been an announcement I am very happy with the news! I'm gonna take the drummers advice and go with the flow and hope for things to roll smooth

[guymandude]

Mar 28, 2015 13:28:21 GMT -5 jwoogie said:

You make a great point! Things are a little weird this year but all in all I hope things work out for the best. There are a few leaks in the additions today and though I don't know why there hasn't been an announcement I am very happy with the news! I'm gonna take the drummers advice and go with the flow and hope for things to roll smooth



Atta boy.... sit back and listen and relax......

[misterbrow]

dude abides (49.84 KB)

[guymandude]