Business & Tech

Board of Public Works Denies Sunset Junction Fair Permit

The 4-0 vote came after fair organizers failed to assure commissioners they could cover municipal fees estimated for 2011 and owed for 2010.

The Los Angeles Board of Public Works voted 4-0 to deny the Sunset Junction Festival a permit needed to hold the event, scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday.

The board heard from over a dozen speakers before president Andrea Alarcon introduced a motion to reconsider a Monday decision to deny the permit.

Lynn Shaw--who had voted against denying the permit on Monday--changed her position to make it unanimous, citing "management failure."

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Fair Presented Bank Statements, Hoping to Show Had Fees

Fair attorney Phil Tate and others presented what they hoped would be bank statements showing the fair had raised money to cover fees estimated to cover municipal services at this year's festival--as well as a down payment on last year's outstanding debt of over $256,000.

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However, the statements raised more questions than they answered, causing Alarcon at one point to say she was "deeply disappointed" with fair organizers. 

Tate told reporters outside after the hearing that the fair would be reviewing its legal options.

Many Artists Had Already Made Backup Plans

Many local and overseas acts are said to have already booked  alternative shows in the Echo Park/Silver Lake area.

But Steven Wilkin of the band Vanaprasta--who had been scheduled to open for legendary rockers Helmet at the Fair--appeared stunned by the decision.

"They've totally ripped the heart out of the community," said Wilkin.

Check out these links to more Patch coverage of this dramatic story:



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