Pubdate: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Page: A - 18 Copyright: 2010 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Author: Adrienne J. Tissier Note: Adrienne J. Tissier is a former mayor of Daly City and a current member of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. COW PALACE BOARD TAKES POSITIVE STEP, ENDS RAVES If self-neglect is a vile sin, as described by William Shakespeare, then studied introspection is the gateway to atonement. Contrition requires courage, and the nine-member governing board of the Cow Palace deserves kudos for taking a long-awaited first step toward recognizing and righting a wrong. In the wake of the Oct. 29 Spookfest 2010 electronic music festival, which saw some 17 attendees requiring ambulance rides to area hospitals, the Cow Palace implemented an indefinite moratorium on such concerts, "until conditions change," declared Cow Palace CEO Joseph Barkett. This unanimous decision by the Cow Palace's board is absolutely correct; a decision that - if taken to the next step - could potentially save millions of dollars in public resources and perhaps a few lives. Since 2002, the Cow Palace has hosted various rave-type events that have collectively generated more than 250 drug-related arrests; seizures of myriad illegal drugs ranging from ecstasy to LSD to cocaine and methamphetamines; and four deaths. The most recent two fatalities were linked to the Memorial Day weekend Pop 2010 rave. Over the years, the associated costs borne by police and fire agencies and a few area hospitals are easily into the multiple millions of dollars. Meanwhile, members of the Daly City City Council, public safety leaders, physicians, county supervisors as well as ordinary families living near the Cow Palace have begged the arena's management to consider its neighbors and to please stop the madness. Such pleas seemingly went nowhere for years - until now. The biggest challenge for local authorities is that as state property, the Cow Palace is not subject to any municipal or county ordinances mitigating the effects of large-scale events, including time, traffic and noise. How such a facility can become a better resident of Daly City and San Mateo County is an open question that deserve public consideration, especially from those who live next door. What does the public think regarding future events at the Cow Palace? The Cow Palace is unique, based on its status, size and location. Other large venues, such as the San Mateo County Event Center and Mountain View's Shoreline Amphitheatre, have existing policies acknowledging their effects on surrounding residential neighborhoods and operations are adjusted accordingly. This is the appropriate next step for the Cow Palace. It is hoped that this is the change in conditions to which Barkett refers. Approaching its 70th anniversary in 2011, the Cow Palace remains a large public facility in the middle of an urban, residential community. Its operators would do well to use this self-imposed rave moratorium to adopt policies and practices that meet its own needs as well as those of its neighbors. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake