Pubdate: Fri, 17 Sep 1999 Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA) Copyright: 1999 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Contact: http://www.seattle-pi.com/ POT ACTIVIST CLASHES WITH THE SHERIFF OVER CONCERT ALBANY, Ore. -- Bill Conde, a marijuana activist known for holding major concerts on his property, says the county is trampling his First Amendment right to peaceful assembly because officials don't like his political efforts. Conde said police presence scared people away from his Labor Day "Rock-N-Reggae" concert, costing him $50,000. He said deputies were on his land too often, in large numbers, and that roads leading to his property were full of patrol officers stopping people for minor violations. He accused Sheriff Dave Burright of overstepping the bounds of an agreement between Conde and the board that allowed the event as long as he met conditions for health, safety, sanitation and law enforcement. "I don't know what you people had in mind when you talked about a spirit of cooperation, but if this is cooperation, man, God forbid that I ever get on your bad side," Conde said. He has vowed to sue the county and Burright. The sheriff said Conde was exaggerating the police presence, using it as an excuse for his problems. "He threw a bad party and people didn't come, and to blame that on the county is absolutely ludicrous," Burright said. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea