You should never be embarrassed by where you come from. I've never had that awful experience, not one time.
Not until last weekend.
Last weekend was the last of whitewater season, the weekend of the Russell Fork Rendezvous. We have hosted the Rendezvous since 2004 at Carson Island, a remote piece of private property on the edge of the city limits far removed from residents.
The event features live music throughout, various whitewater related vendors selling wares, whitewater related videos, and on-site food.
The Bluegrass Whitewater Association is the sponsor, and in 15 years has donated proceeds to the Elkhorn City Fire Department, the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, the Breaks Interstate Park, the Elkhorn City Parks Department, Artist's Collaborative Theatre and the Elkhorn City Girl Scouts. They pay to lease the property and buy supplies for the event in our town.
Since 2004, there has never been a problem. Never a legitimate complaint. The only arrest a drunk local. We called the police in ourselves.
Here's what happened this year.
The Elkhorn City police roamed the private property Thursday and Friday harrassing campers. On Friday evening, all 3 Elkhorn City officers were stationed at the entrance to Carson Island stopping everyone coming and going. They asked each person who they were and why they were there.
At 10:30, the Elkhorn City police stopped the live music at the event and informed the event organizer that the mayor had authorized whatever was necessary, including the state police, to shut down the event.
On Saturday, the mayor, claiming no knowledge of the police actions, sought out the event organizer and apologized, but stated due to an ordinace the music had to end at 10:00. He blamed the problem on the pizza joint in town.
At 10:15 on Saturday, the ECPD arrived again to shut down the event. They claimed there had been a complaint. Someone a half mile away heard music in the rain, across a roaring river and an active railroad track.
That's some good ears. Or a pure liar. Take your pick.
In one ugly weekend, 25 years of goodwill with a nationally respected organization goes down the drain. Paul Patton's dream of Elkhorn City and Pike County being a nationally known whitewater destination is almost history. The once nationally known friendliest town in whitewater has shot itself in the foot and is taking aim at the other.
The ordinance both the mayor and chief of police refer to doesn't exist. Elkhorn City doesn't have a sound ordinance. It certainly doesn't have one that applies to private property on the edge of city limits.
The Russell Fork Rendezvous will probably move to Haysi. The Cloudsplitter 100 moved to Norton. Someone authorized the harrassment of an organization and event that has contributed positively to our town for years.
Simply put, if the Chief of Police acted on his own, he needs to be fired. What our police did was unacceptable in almost any situation.
It's time for the City Council to step up and take some action. Are we going to be a town that welcomes commerce and outstanding guests? Or are we going to continue the death spiral we are so obviously in?