Clark County owns an 18,000-seat amphitheater at the fairgrounds. In April of 2013 the “responsible county official” for oversight of amphitheater operations left county employment. Then there was no county oversight for more than four years. On Sept. 1, 2017, his replacement finally took over.
On that date, there were still four concerts on the 2017 schedule. Persistent problems with amphitheater operations were obvious at these events. Then at the Sept. 14 monthly meeting of the Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association, the new “responsible county official” got an earful about these problems. Our frustration was obvious.
But two months after our September meeting, there had been no further communication from the new “responsible county official.” So, on Nov. 8 we asked for the annual reports. That same day we received two files in response. After a week of careful scrutiny, on Nov. 16 we reported back about violations documented in the amphitheater operator’s own reports.
On Nov. 21 we got a response from the county: “I’ll be back to you.” On Nov. 30 we again requested an update. Again: “I will be back in touch.” On Dec. 7 we again asked for a report on the county response to documented Conditional Use Permit violations. Again: “I’ll be back in touch.”
It is now Jan. 8, 2018, and we’re still waiting. We have absolutely no idea what progress, if any, the county has made to meet their responsibility to enforce compliance with the operating agreements. At the same time, the amphitheater operators are deep into planning for the 2018 season. The first event has already been announced. Tickets are already on sale.
Why don’t we receive regular updates? Are we doomed to another year of watching the county actively ignore their responsibility to oversee amphitheater operations?
