Viewpoint

by Mayor Dave Romero

 

I have good news for Silas Lyons. You bravely offered to shoulder the blame for the Mardi Gras riots in your March 14 "Fall Guy" piece, but it wasn't you. The riot was started by drunken, irresponsible people who thought it would be fun to throw rocks and bottles at police officers while officers were trying to close the intersection of California and Foothill boulevards. Officers were closing the intersection to protect partiers (who had taken over the street) from being run over by cars.

 

Silas, you also do not need to sacrifice yourself to get others to have a "conversation" about bad Mardi Gras behavior and other alcohol problems. Such conversations have been going on for years. There have been task forces, working groups, panel discussions, "messaging teams," MardiGras summits, and on and on. Most recently, on March 11, the Student-Community Liaisaon Committee (which includes Cal Poly and Cuesta students and officials from the city, Cal Poly and Cuesta) agreed to work on Mardi Gras and related alcohol problems.

 

But here is the problem, Silas: Our local conversations about "what to do next" (and the time and money we have spent actually doing these things) have been completely overwhelmed by another conversation. This conversation occurs among a network of partiers - local and statewide - who have turned SLO Mardi Gras into a highly destructive and dangerous "Palm Springs Weekend" experience.

 

To break this cycle, I have said that we need to do something we have never done before: send a crystal-clear message that "Mardi Gras weekend in SLO is over." I have also said that such a clear message will be impossible as long as we still have a gigantic Mardi Gras weekend parade. I call this common sense, Silas, not blame or absolution.

 

In any case, Silas, it was nice of you to offer to take the blame. However, you could help us more by contributing to that meaningful conversation that you desire so much.