Conflict avoided at NLV concert, rally

Friday, June 3, 2005 | 11:10 a.m.

North Las Vegas allowed a mayoral candidate to hold a concert in the park Thursday even though the city had denied his permit.

The concert and political rally backing the candidacy of Andres Ramirez was sparsely attended with only a handful of people in Eldorado Park at times Thursday afternoon.

North Las Vegas Police officers and park maintenance crews monitored the event. Organizers told the city as many as 200 people could attend.

No one complained and no problems were reported, City Manager Gregory Rose said.

On Wednesday, city officials said they denied the permit because there wasn't enough time to coordinate with the police and fire departments on a plan to protect public safety. After pleading his case to the City Council Wednesday night to no avail, Ramirez decided to hold the event anyway and dared the city to break up concert and arrest him.

"We had officers and maintenance people at the park, and they never indicated that there was any sort of disruption that was occurring, nor was the public in any danger at any point," Rose said. "It is a public park, and the public can assembly there. As long as they are not putting anyone in danger, there is no reason to go in there and crack down on any type of activity as long as they are obeying all of our laws."

Police spokesman Tim Bedwell said traffic officers were sent to the park to ensure there was no traffic or crowd control issues. Eldorado Park is adjacent to an elementary school.

Ramirez, who said he wasn't disappointed with the turnout, said he wasn't surprised the city left them alone. He said there was no reason to crack down

"I don't think that at the end of the day, we were doing anything that was causing damage to public safety," he said. "It would have looked foolish if they had tried to do so."

Ramirez, who is running against Mayor Mike Montandon, had accused the city of playing politics in denying his permit. City officials said they need at least two weeks to review permits for special events as the Ramirez campaign proposed.

The concert featured Joseph Fargier, who said he is a cousin of members of the Gipsy Kings.

Steve Wark, Montandon's campaign manager, said Ramirez sent a bad message to people that he doesn't have to live by the rules.

"What the city did was up to them, but he should be ashamed," Wark said.