The April 19 issue of the Town Crier reported that the ICRC adopted a policy requesting donations from third parties for use of the ICC site.
At the time, they had “turned down Idyllwild Summer Concert Series promoter Ken Dahleen’s request to use the site at no charge for his [really our] upcoming series.”
I think this decision is an embarrasement to ICRC and a slap in the face to Mr. Dahleen and the members of this mountain top community. Ken has donated countless hours along with the efforts of many volunteers to bring this very popular event to Idyllwild for many years.
It is enjoyed by literally hundreds of people who live up here. Most people who live here can’t afford to pay $50 to $200 for a ticket to enjoy comparable entertainment off the Hill.
I’ve seen 4-year-old children and seniors, even older than me, dancing their hearts out at these events. I’ve also seen young couples spread a blanket out on the ground and set out a picknic basket and enjoy a $2 bottle of wine and join the children and seniors dancing up a storm in front of the band.
More Idyllwilders enjoy this event than all the other venues in town put together. I can’t help but wonder why the concert series is treated as an afterthought instead of the very first priority of the ICRC.
Secondly, I’m sure that when the citizens of this town came together many years ago as a community to build what we still call Town Hall, no one suspected that it would now be used to run a business out of.
The playground (also volunteer-built) is fenced off and not allowed to be used thanks to the county getting involved. It will now need more than $30,000 worth of improvements to turn it in to a boo booless play area. (Thank you, Riverside County.)
This playground has no climbing wall since I suspect the original designers decided none was needed since we are surrounded by world famous climbing areas five minutes from town.
There are currently four or five playgrounds in the area which see limited use due to red tape, government restrictions, insurance issures, etc.
I’m looking forward to the letters next week.
Bob Rahman
Idyllwild
