Concert at lake gets OK

By Loyd Cook

May 13, 2008 12:53 am

— Navarro County commissioners approved a special events permit for The Ranch, 106.9, radio station to stage a 10-band concert on May 17 at Richland Chambers Reservoir.
Tim Samuels, a representative of the radio station’s parent company LKMC Radio Group, told commissioners that 30 law enforcement officers have been hired for security for the day-long event, slated to begin at 1 p.m. and run to midnight Saturday.
That answered a concern expressed by County Judge H.M. Davenport.
“I expect you’ll have at least one or two that will ‘slip and slide’ a bit,” Davenport said, implying the need to address problems associated with drinking and partying.
“Have you talked with the sheriff’s office?” Precinct 2 Commissioner Faith Holt asked.
Samuels said he had not and Holt directed him to NCSO Chief Deputy Mike Cox, who was in attendance at Monday’s meeting.
Planning and Zoning Chairman Terry Jacobson, who was also at the meeting, asked Samuels a couple of questions P&Z members couldn’t ask at the May 1 P&Z meeting where this same issue came up, since the LKMC representative wasn’t there.
Jacobson inquired about the distance to the nearest residence, which Samuels said was in The Shores, a subdivision near Southport Marina where the concert will be held.
Jacobson also asked how solid the estimated attendance for the event was. Samuels had earlier said planners expect about 2,000 for the concert.
“It’s reasonable, but I’ll say it could get as many as 4,000,” Samuels said. “But there would be no more than that because we don’t feel the square footage (at the location) will handle more than that.”
He also assured commissioners that there are contingency plans in place should more security be needed or if extra sanitation facilities be added.
The special events permit was approved by a unanimous vote.
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Loyd Cook may be reached via e-mail at lcook@corsicanadailysun.com