Pubdate: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 Source: Blade, The (OH) Copyright: 2000 The Blade Contact: 541 North Superior St., Toledo OH 43660 Website: http://www.toledoblade.com/ Author: Kim Bates. Blade Staff Writer 8 ARRESTS RESULT IN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE CAMPGROUND PORT CLINTON - Local officials said yesterday they will try again this year to close a local campground where eight people were arrested Saturday during an annual music festival. Seven adults and one juvenile were arrested on charges ranging from LSD trafficking to possession of beer following an undercover operation at the Golden Eye Campground. Earl Mack, a Toledo agent with the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said he will meet with Ottawa County officials about filing possible criminal charges against the campground's owner, Richard Carpenter. "We're going to just sit down with the prosecutor and the sheriff there and discuss this year's [sting] operation," Mr. Mack said. "We're hoping this particular [venue] and its operators become compliant with the law. There's just too many kids out there consuming alcohol, and there's just too many drugs.'' The State Rt. 53 campground could be closed if Mr. Carpenter is convicted of being the keeper of a place where liquor is given away or furnished in violation of the law. Another possible charge against him could be allowing possession or consumption of alcohol on private property by underage minors. Mr. Mack said the arrests were made after law-enforcement officers did uncover surveillance at the annual Harvest Festival, which previously had been a gathering for members of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The event is no longer a NORML-sponsored event, NORML officials said yesterday. Last year during the same festival, 19 people were arrested for alcohol and drug violations. At that time, state officials also said they would seek charges against Mr. Carpenter. They never did so, because of a lack of past violations, Ottawa County Prosecutor Mark Mulligan said. But the prosecutor said the latest drug bust could serve as additional evidence in court. "There's more history now," Mr. Mulligan said. "That's something we're going to look at." Mr. Carpenter is also facing five disorderly-conduct charges in Ottawa County Municipal Court for playing loud music on the property this summer. He is scheduled to appear on one of those misdemeanor charges Monday. The campground owner said yesterday that he was appalled by the recent raid. He said the bust was ironic, because the festival's theme was "to help legalize freedom in the U.S." "I don't know what they were trying to do this weekend," Mr. Carpenter said. "All I know is everyone's rights were violated." Mr. Carpenter said he will move ahead with plans for a music festival at the campground late next month. He also said the campground will be leased next year to a nonprofit group, Gerp, Inc., which will manage the site and furnish alcohol on the property. The campground owner said he has pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and will fight any other charges. Mr. Carpenter has maintained his innocence, saying he's a businessman who can't be held accountable for other people's actions. "They're more than welcome to charge me. I'm sure there are plenty of people who will help me with my defense of freedom. I have done nothing wrong. All I've done is run a music venue," he said. "I can't go out of business just because they're trying to scare me. That would be the same as suicide." - --- MAP posted-by: John Chase