Regatta noisy but ‘positive’

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, August 5, 2006

It wasn’t exactly quiet on the Youngstown waterfront last weekend. There’s always a huge party during the annual Youngstown Level Regatta. However, police, regatta and village officials planned in advance to ensure partying didn’t get out of hand.

Youngstown Police Chief Christopher Salada said complaints were very mild compared to last year and only two arrests were made during he entire weekend – one for disorderly conduct and one (in cooperation with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department) for DWI. Police patrolled the Second, Third, Lockport and Church street area on bicycle, four-wheeler, golf cart, police car and foot, while the Yacht Club provided security on the waterfront.

Advanced Planning Worked

“All the remarks I heard were positive in all regards,” said Mayor Neil Riordan, citing the advance planning and cooperation of all groups involved. “This year was virtually a project without any incidents.”

Many visitors come to the village on regatta weekend to party on the fringes of the main event at the waterfront where wristbands are needed for admittance. Last year, there were complaints of vandalism to cars and broken glass on surrounding streets.

Trustee Fred Stephens said permits were required for those who wanted to erect tents to camp out in the village during the event. Permits were limited to regatta participants, and the move may have eliminated some of the fringe element who used to come down, camp out and cause problems, he said.

Deputy Mayor and Trustee Peggy Hanson said the annual influx of regatta visitors is a boon for local businesses, and most residents accept without complaint the extra crowding on the streets and the music and noise from parties.

“Sometimes, depending on the direction of the wind, you can dance in my backyard,” said Hanson, who lives several blocks inland from the riverfront. “There was no dancing in my backyard this year.”

250 Boats

Yacht Club Commodore Gary Tisdale also rated the regatta a success. Although registration was down by 35 boats this year, there were still 250 boats participating, coming from as far away as Texas.

• For those who missed the beauty of the sails and the fun of the racing, the yacht club will be hosting another regatta Aug. 11-12, a charity event which benefits Hospice and honors the late Jack Beatty, an avid local sailor.

• The Village Board will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 at the Village Hall, 240 Lockport St. Riordan said a top item of discussion will be the renovation of the North Docks beginning after Labor Day. The $360,000 renovation, which includes docks, piers, bathrooms and streetscape, affects public property between the marina and the yacht club wall.