Bonnaroo controversy is a no-win situation
Just about everyone has an opinion about the wave of Bonnaroo traffic which has flooded the county, and the series of police encounters which have awaited the travelers in Warren County.
There are two sides to every story and that’s certainly true in this instance.
One side has angry citizens who are concerned with Warren County’s image. The other side has deputies who are determined to protect public safety and enforce the laws of this state. It’s a situation with no easy answers.
One train of thought says Warren County should open its arms to visitors — especially when those people are forking over tourism dollars left and right. People on the way to Bonnaroo are eating in our restaurants, shopping in our stores and buying our gas.
And naturally, good neighbors that we are, we want to roll out the welcome mat and present a positive image. We want folks to enjoy their stay, however brief it may be, and ultimately we would like them to come back.
The last thing we want to do, so the theory goes, is to greet a group of Bonnaroo patrons with a citation book. That’s no way to extend our hospitality. It’s certainly no way to get people to return. That’s why a number of people have contacted the Standard over the last week, to express concern that Warren County will receive a permanent black flag when it comes to tourism. The economy is bad, they say, and local businesses can sure use every extra dollar that may head their way.
The other side of the coin has arguments which are just as legitimate. We want to get drugs off the street and we expect our law officers to work to the best of their ability to accomplish this goal.
If drugs are driving through this county, we shouldn’t sit back and ignore it. Just like any other major event like July 4, or Labor Day weekend, for example, law officials are going to have a greater presence.
That is certainly the attitude we want them to take. We strive to keep our community a nice place to live and our roads a safe place to drive. And if thousands of drug users are making their way through Warren County, the argument can be made it would be in the county’s best interest if they go in another direction anyway. If Bonnaroo patrons don’t want to be hassled, maybe they should abide by the law.
What complicates the situation even further is Judge Larry Ross held a special session Friday just for out-of-town Bonnaroo travelers. And the judge dismissed all 24 cases involving drug possession.
While some have cheered this decision as “the right thing to do” others have said just the opposite. Why should these people receive preferential treatment just because they’re from out of town? Why should they dash off without a scratch while Judge Ross will likely give jail time to some Warren County residents for drug possession charges later this week?
The one thing that can decisively be said about this whole Bonnaroo controversy is this: When it gives the appearance that justice has not be administered fairly, it’s a no-win situation.