Handlin to host public forum on PNC Arts Center issues
BY ERIN O. STATTLE Staff Writer
In preparation for this year's concert series at the PNC BankArts Center,Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13) is takingmatters into her own hands.

Handlin will be hosting a community forum, featuring representatives fromLive Nation, at Holmdel High School onMarch 18 at 7 p.m. The forum will be open to the public.

"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.

JohnHuff, senior vice president of Live NationNewYork, said Friday hewill be in attendance at theMarch 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.

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 boardmember for Techniques forEffective Alcohol Management 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 forHandlin's forumis last summer's incidents of underage drinking and tailgating at the PNC BankArts Center, which culminated with the deaths of two concertgoers and 490 arrests. Last year's events led to a tailgating alcohol ban at PNClimiting alcoholic beverages to concession stand sales.

In the meantime, Handlin is planning to reach out to area liquor merchants and supply themwith informational pamphlets on the health risks involved when adolescents engage in alcohol consumption during the developmental years.

Handlin will also 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, Handlin will be re-introducing legislation tomandate 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 current municipal penalties that will go to the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund for alcohol education and treatment.