KYRILLOS PRESSING FOR ARTS CENTER HEARING

Kyrillos Pressing for Arts Center Hearing

Hearing A First Step To Reclaiming The Center For All Residents 

Senator Joseph Kyrillos, R-Monmouth/Middlesex, today expressed confidence that the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee will start the process of rectifying the problems at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel. He expects the committee will hold a hearing, which will include representatives from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Live Nation, State Police, Monmouth County community groups and local government that will result in a program of action to prevent a repeat of the past summer’s underage drinking and criminal incidents.

“The current permissive atmosphere at the arts center is not acceptable and cannot be allowed to continue,” Kyrillos said. “The arts center should be a place everyone can enjoy that offers a diversity of entertainment in a safe environment. Instead it’s now known for its ‘Teens Gone Wild’ headlines. A committee hearing will be a real step in putting an end to those headlines.”

A review of the contract between Live Nation and the Turnpike Authority shows that the Turnpike Authority has the right to review on a weekly basis the performers, sponsors, concessionaires, management personnel, ticketing and pricing polices, and advertising and promotional policies. 

 “I expect the hearing will establish the framework for there to be weekly meetings between Live Nation and the Turnpike Authority, as is spelled out in its contract, which will lead the arts center to taking steps to prevent lawlessness and offering a wider range of program options,” said Kyrillos.

“We also need to determine whether or not the state has been advocating as aggressively as possible New Jersey residents’ desire for a diversity of programs and entertainment,” added Kyrillos.

During the last several weeks, Kyrillos discussed the matter several times with Senate President Richard Codey. He, Codey and committee chairman Senator Paul Sarlo have discussed setting a date for the hearing.

The most pressing concern has been the repeated incidents of teenage drinking at the center.  Fifteen children, some as young as 11, were rushed to area hospitals as a result of alcohol abuse. That incident should have been a catalyst for substantial action to curb drinking and drug use during concerts; instead the problem worsened. This summer there were almost 500 arrests and two deaths during arts center events. 

“It’s time that community leaders and citizens get the chance to discuss with officials from Live Nation, the Turnpike Authority and other state agencies on how we can  work to correct the mistakes from the past and improve the arts center as an world-class entertainment venue for all to enjoy,” concluded Senator Kyrillos.

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