To the editor:

The fallout from the controversial decision by the Bristol 4th of July committee to move the summer concerts from Independence Park to Roger Williams University reached a new level last week when the committee met and rejected an offer of $20,000 from a group of concerned citizens to pay for increased police details at Independence Park requested by the town's police chief, and while there has been quite a bit of criticism from downtown business owners, local residents, and long time concert goers regarding the change of venues, what stands out to me is the silence by the town council regarding this controversy.

What many of these angry individuals who have criticized the 4th of July committee might not realize is the fact that the town council is the only group with statutory authority to grant entertainment licenses anywhere within the town. The downtown business owners, police chief, and residents can offer their suggestions and opinions regarding the location of the concerts, but at the end of the day, the final decision rests with the town council.

As we approach the summer and the 4th of July concerts, I hope that everyone who has vilified the 4th of July committee realizes that they are a 100 percent volunteer group who put in countless hours every year to put on the best 4th of July celebration possible, and more importantly, I hope that our town council steps up and weighs in on this matter, instead of letting a group of well meaning volunteers take the blame for a problem that the council could have tackled months ago.
Our town council members were elected to do a job and the controversy regarding the moving of the concerts from Independence Park certainly falls within their purview, and they owe it to all the stakeholders, especially the volunteers on the 4th of July committee, to take action regarding the location of the concerts, and more importantly, to make a final decision and take responsibility for it.

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.