Officials address Jambo changes
Commissioner Coffland protests, says plans will hurt economy
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ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- The Belmont County Board of Commissioners' Wednesday meeting business included a response to the plans to alter the name and policies of Jamboree In The Hills by Live Nation.
Martins Ferry resident Richard Hord inquired about the stance on the festival, now to be titled Jambo Country. Days earlier it had been announced that the four-day event would be reduced to three days with no Sunday events, and coolers and alcohol will not be permitted to be brought on-site, although alcohol would be sold on site.
Commissioner Matt Coffland attended the meeting in his Jamboree cowboy had and brought his cooler in protest. He said the impact of these changes on the region's economy will be negative.
"A lot of businesses live on sales that they (get) in the month of July for that event," Coffland said, noting prices charged for drinks are often excessive and will likely hurt the experience.
"I just think they've taken something that's been a tradition and they've absolutely just kicked it in the teeth. They can say what they want, they want to fall on safety, maybe they ought to come down and stand in line and see what you go through to get into Jamboree. They open up, they search your cooler, you can't even get a bottle of vodka in a water bottle because they check to see if it's open or not. I think that some corporate people made a decision without even understanding."
Coffland added that on Dec. 5 he called event officials at Live Nation in Nashville and has yet to receive a return phone call.
"Last year they wanted $10,000 out of this county to help promote the event. This commission sponsored $10,000. I think if nothing else we're entitled to a phone call back," he said. "This is a major impact for our county, to our residents, to a 40-year tradition of people going to Jamboree In The Hills. It's a shame. They can say what they want, I'm saying you've taken 40 years of tradition, you've thrown it all out overnight."
He noted many other frequent festival attendants feel the same way.
"I represent those people that pull the coolers. Those people that do the Redneck Run, the everyday people that go to Jamboree," he said. "When you take a three-day event … you've got a limited budget. You try to buy a drink for $12 or $15, go to a ball game, drinks are $20."
Coffland said drinking is simply part of the event tradition and the sale of alcohol is a help to the local economy. He added that funding for the proposed ethane cracker plant in Shadyside would come from statewide alcohol sales. He said much of the economic development through Jobs Ohio is funded through liquor sales.
"I think the sales are very important. I don't see how anyone can afford this kind of three-day event buying beer at over top premium prices when a guy could spend about $15 on a case of (beer) and go have at good time at Jamboree, someone could pick him up and take him home. It wasn't hurting a thing," he said, adding he believed the decision makers were unfamiliar with the venue.
In other business, another guest asked if the county could consider placing finances online. Commissioner Ginny Favede noted this would add another layer of transparency. Commissioner Mark Thomas noted the majority of the county's financial information is online and the records are available to the public. Coffland noted the auditor and treasurer would have to be consulted to gauge the full scope of county funds.