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Mr. Lester glosses over the fact, as he states that there "were people without electricity for days." On Monday August 29th there were 4,200 residences and businesses without power. LIPA was telling customers that they could not reasonably expect to have power until the following Sunday. Many of those without power had flooded basements and refrigerators full of rotting food. The bathrooms on the beach were not functioning, and our Ocean Beach Park suffered extensive damage. For those reasons I was compelled to cancel the festival, and only the festival. Mr. Lester is incorrect in stating that public outcry convinced the City to go forward with the surfing event. The surfing event was never in jeopardy.

Leadership means having to make tough decisions, I'm sorry if some people were disappointed but concerns for public health and public safety have priority. Hopefully Mr. Lester will catch the Flaming Lips at another venue.

Charles T. Theofan, City Manager