I was surprised to read in local papers how another “successful” Roots and Blues festival was held, and with no incidents.
What do you class as successful, and the only reason it was incident-free, was because those in charge overlooked problems, such as public marijuana smoking, loitering at local business and excessive noise?
I live over five kilometres away and even at times the “drum beats” are too loud. Where is our noise bylaw? Is there no regard or respect for the many residents in seniors apartments and single homes within a few blocks of the site? Not everyone is deaf.
A few respectable citizens in our city are trying to enforce a “clean air bylaw.” Tobacco smokers are not allowed to smoke near buildings, or in them, nor in public seating areas, yet marijuana puffing was allowed in seating areas during the shows.
Since when did marijuana selling and smoking become legal in Salmon Arm? Is the board turning a blind eye? I’m sure Linda Tanaka wouldn’t have allowed it. Where is the security and policing at a time like this? The “smokers” showed no respect for the decent citizens wanting to watch some good talent. They had to sit and smell while joint smokers passed their drug around, continually smoking it. People living within blocks of the fairgrounds had the rotten, hazardous smell in their homes. Marijuana is an intoxicating drug, leading to serious medical and social problems when abused.
I’m sure many of the abusers drove home after and where was enforcement if there were no incidents?
Those smokers show total disregard for all respectable folks present. You can go to a bluegrass festival, W.O.W. or local coffeehouses and you do not see such disgusting and disrespectful behaviour.
E. F. Lowe