TicketNetwork in Vernon: An open, deliberative process

Editorials & Comment
Journal Inquirer
Published: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:02 PM EST

TicketNetwork is an online entertainment ticket wholesaler. Though relatively new to Vernon it has become a major employer in the town. It is located in the old Wolff-Zackin building just off Exit 66 on Interstate 84.

The company wants to build a portable 2,000-seat summer concert venue on the property adjoining its headquarters. (It owns 37 acres there and says the venue would take up roughly 9. The arena would be put up and taken down in the summer.)

As you might guess, neighbors are not enthused.

What about noise? Traffic? Pollution?

There is also a serious environmental issue:

The Tankerhoosen River flows near where the arena would be. It is classified by the state as a Class 1 river at the top, meaning that it is currently pristine and unspoiled.

In a letter to the Planning and Zoning Commission, James P. Glowienka, chairman of the Connecticut chapter of Trout Unlimited, said, “The location selected by the developer is one of the most sensitive areas in Connecticut, and the last place that should have been proposed … something that should not then be compromised with development.”

Vernon town business and political leaders are equally and understandably eager to please a new employer and to attract something that will bring tourism and property tax revenues. They would be irresponsible if they did not look at the proposal seriously.

But there is a another issue, and that is process.

The proposal seems to be getting rushed along.

Inquiries are being discouraged — even stifled.

Public debate and discussion have been limited.

Questions about the extent of the parking needed and how many food and beverage vendors there will be have not been answered.

What’s going on here?

One gets the feeling that the idea is to push this thing through before all the facts are on the table and the public has had full say. The immediate neighbors, in particular, are entitled to be heard.

The idea of a concert venue in Vernon is not a bad one. Not at all. And TicketNetwork is certainly a welcome new enterprise in town.

But both TicketNetwork and town government should be anxious to show that everything is legitimate and above-board. If they are confident that the venue will be good for Vernon and that the Tankerhoosen would be protected, there should be no rush.

If you walk along the river, you do wonder: What would happen here? Would this area be littered? Would the river be polluted? How would it be protected?

Out of respect for a part of Vernon’s natural beauty, for their neighbors, and for a just and orderly process, Vernon officials need to slow this thing down.

TicketNetwork’s concert venue may turn out to be a good thing for Vernon. No town wants to “just say no” to every new development idea. But there needs to be an open and deliberative decision-making process here. Let’s be smart and careful and not rush to judgment.