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June 8, 2005Residents share noise, crowd concernsMichael Moore has answers for challengesByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Genie Aldrich said plans for an upstart film festival in Traverse City are "too much, too fast, too soon." "This is an event that is going to affect every citizen in Traverse City, and they should have a say in it," Aldrich told city commissioners Monday, and asked them to delay a decision on allowing festival organizers to use the city's Open Space. The newly created festival committee, headed by filmmaker Michael Moore, wants to make outdoor film showings along Grand Traverse Bay a centerpiece of the event planned for July 28-31. Aldrich pointed to potential noise, traffic congestion and impact on a city she said tires after the annual National Cherry Festival. Commissioners approved festival organizers' request to use the Open Space, but Aldrich wasn't the only resident with concerns. George Galic said other film festivals held at private venues succeed without using public property. Chris Maxbauer was among residents who praised the festival's aims and said going to see the films is a personal choice. But Mary Ann Galic contended that unlike an indoor venue, a 49-foot inflatable screen slated for the bayfront will make the films "something you can't avoid seeing." Moore, who was at Monday's meeting to pitch the festival, said the event will showcase good films, not politics. City commissioners cited challenges like noise levels, crowd control and post-festival cleanup, but said they're confident organizers will work with the city on those concerns. Moore said sound levels will be held at 65 decibels, the festival will pay costs for any additional crowd control and volunteers will handle cleanup.
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