Handlin to host public forum on PNC issues Assemblywoman will renew effort to pass underage drinking bill BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer In preparation for this year's concert series at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, AssemblywomanAmy Handlin (R- 13) is taking matters into her own hands. Amy Handlin "Looking ahead to the 2008 concert season, the community, and parents in particular need an opportunity to voice their concerns and receive feedback directly from Live Nation," Handlin said in a press release. According to the release, Handlin will be hosting a community forum, featuring representatives from Live Nation, at Holmdel High School onMarch 18 at 7 p.m. The forum will be open to the public and Handlin hopes that ideas can be exchanged between the community and Live Nation, which presents the concert series at the arts center. Handlin said she is also planning to reintroduce legislation addressing underage drinking. John Huff, senior vice president of Live Nation New York, said Friday he will be in attendance at the March forum, accompanied by John Panero, the on-site general manager of the PNC Bank Arts Center, and Kevin Morrow, president of Live Nation, if his schedule allows. "The community needs some reassurance going into the 2008 concert season and, I believe, the community has a right to expect everyone with a responsibility at the PNC Bank Arts Center to be extensively looking ahead," Handlin said in an interview last week. "There needs to be a real partnership in place between the operator, Live Nation, and the community. This forum is an opportunity for direct communication. Given what happened last year, this is a good first step." When asked what Live Nation has planned for controlling underage drinking at this year's concert series, Huff declined to comment, stating that plans are still being worked on. Huff reiterated that Live Nation is a board member for Techniques for Effective AlcoholManagement Coalition (TEAM), an alliance of professional and collegiate sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, stadium service providers and the beer industry, among others, aimed at promoting responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities. With the help of TEAM, Live Nation hopes to develop a fan code of conduct to distribute at concerts. The impetus for Handlin's forum is last summer's incidents of underage drinking and tailgating at the PNC Bank Arts Center, which culminated with the deaths of two concertgoers and 490 arrests. Last year's events led to a tailgating alcohol ban at PNC limiting alcoholic beverages to concession stand sales. In themeantime,Handlin is planning to reach out to area liquormerchants and supply them with informational pamphlets on the health risks involved when adolescents engage in alcohol consumption during the developmental years. According to Handlin, the pamphlets will be available in English and Spanish. Merchants will be asked to either display the information or distribute it. Holmdel Mayor Serena Di- Maso agrees with being proactive on the issue. "Honestly, I think it is a terrific first step in nipping this problem in the bud and preventing any particular accidents that may happen," she said. "Keeping kids safe is our number one priority and we clearly do not want to go into crisis mode as we did last year." In an attempt to be proactive concerning the Live Nation events, Handlin is going to contact national celebrities for their help in public education, possibly recording public service announcements to air at the venue at the beginning of the concerts. In addition to preparing community members and Live Nation personnel, Handlin will be re-introducing legislation to mandate stiffer penalties for underage drinking. If passed, the legislation would carry hefty penalties for underage drinkers, she said. The penalties would include a minimum of one summer performing community service; driver's license suspension, or postponement of the ability to obtain a license for 12 months; and a uniform $200 surcharge in addition to the currentmunicipal penalties that will go to the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund for alcohol education and treatment.