I am writing in response to Nick Thompson’s “Student Association did not cooperate” letter to the editor. As chief of staff for the Student Association, I feel compelled to address some of Thompson’s statements.
Let me first state that I appreciate Thompson’s concerns that some changes in Old Main Music Festival are not beneficial to downtown businesses. But contrary to the entire letter, the SA didn’t have anything to do with the planning or execution of the 2006 Old Main Music Festival.
If you were to take a look at any of the posters or advertisements for the festival, you would have noticed that Old Main was presented by Music Maker Productions under the leadership of Kelly Nesbit. You are correct that in the past the SA has been the sole planning and control center of this event, but because of decisions made by last year’s SA administration, the event was not in our hands this year. I feel that before you bashed our organization in such a widely read paper, you first should have done a bit of research.
To address some of your concerns, though, the decision to move the main stage for this year’s concert was primarily made to appease the downtown businesses, not to disregard them. There were many complaints at last year’s concert made by you and your staff that because of the location of the stage, customers wanting to dine at your restaurant-but not wishing to participate in the concert festivities-were not granted admission unless they paid.
You thought that this was unfair and that it caused your restaurant to lose business, even though I can state with almost certainty that your sales of beer and liquor surpassed any loss that you might have incurred. The main stage was relocated so as not to block any restaurants other than a few that were contacted and regarded prior to this decision being made, but you are still not satisfied because you feel that you now might experience a greater loss in profits.
Because of the magnitude of this event, compromises must be made. Bringing thousands of students into the Old Main District most certainly will create unusual circumstances. However, I believe the profits you incur and the experience that MSU students are exposed to far outweigh the exceptions and changes that must be made.
I take offense to the statement that the SA has “poor foresight” and that we have caused a “lack of cooperation” between the downtown businesses and us. But the SA prides itself in having and maintaining excellent relationships with Steve Langston and the Downtown Business Association.
Mr. Langston has been awarded the prestigious “Friend of the SA” award for at least two years because of his guidance and spectacular cooperation in making events like Bulldog Bash and Old Main Music Festival huge successes. What other university student government do you know of that can bring over 30,000 students and community members into one street for one night with little or no disruptions or problems? I can’t think of a single one.
Mr. Thompson, I understand your frustration, and I agree the leaders of this year’s festival haven’t communicated with the downtown businesses, or the rest of Starkville for that matter, in the caliber and with such accuracy as is necessary. But please don’t blame an organization that has not had an ounce of vested interest in the planning and execution of this event. I encourage you to express your concerns, but please do so to the accountable party, Music Maker Productions.