Daredevil tripped up in Town Hall
He packs up plans for Calverton stunt show, blames town
6 comments below
Louis "Rocket" Re won't get to demonstrate his high-flying motorcycle skills in Calverton now that he's canceled his show planned for April 25. He says it's because town officials dragged their feet in handling his application.
Louis "Rocket" Re of Middle Island and other stunt riders were scheduled to perform a "Live Daredevil Show" April 25 at Abbess Farm on Route 25. The proceeds were going to benefit United Veterans Beacon House of Bay Shore, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing and other services for homeless veterans.
The motorcycle show will now be held in Brockton, Mass., and another organization will likely be the beneficiary, Mr. Re said.
"Instead of showing the best of local government, it almost feels like they did everything they could to make this impossible," he said.
Councilwoman Barbara Blass said she resented the implication that town officials don't support the cause of helping veterans simply because the officials are trying to ensure safety at the show.
The stunt show was supposed to be filmed for a pilot episode of a reality television show on a cable network, and the network needed a certain amount of lead time to plan the show, Mr. Re said, explaining his move to cancel.
Mr. Re and another stunt rider, known as Doug Danger, were scheduled to perform a jump in which the two motorcycles cross in mid-air. Mr. Re said he holds two world records, one for riding a motorcycle through 12 walls of fire and the other for performing the longest side-by-side tandem jump, in which he and Doug Danger jumped 110 feet.
He said the jacket he was wearing at last Thursday's Town Board work session was given to him by Evil Knievel, whom he called a friend.
"This event is for the veterans who have fought and sacrificed," he told the Town Board. "I wouldn't be here doing what I do if it wasn't for the men and women who made this country free."
Mr. Re said he filed the application for the show on March 16 and as of Monday, no one from the town had contacted him.
"If my name is on the application, how come nobody has contacted me this whole time?" he asked.
The town had contacted the property owner, Marie Tooker.
Ms. Tooker sold the development rights to 90 of the 130 acres on her farm in 2005 and has held events there in the past.
Ms. Tooker, who was also present at the Town Board work session, said that no portions of the motorcycle show were to take place on the preserved land.
She also said time was running out to approve the event. "We've got people coming from all over the country, raising money for veterans," she said. "If this gets canceled, I don't think you want this on your back."
Deputy Town Attorney Ann Marie Prudenti said last Tuesday that the preserved land was an issue and that the town code enforcement agents wanted to do an inspection but were not permitted on the property.
Ms. Tooker said that's because they came with police and her employees didn't know what was going on. A second inspection took place last Wednesday after Supervisor Phil Cardinale said the Town Board would have a special meeting the next day to approve the application, if Ms. Tooker cooperated.
She did, but in the meantime deputy town attorney Dan McCormick said additional information was still needed to ensure safety at the event. He also said that the code enforcement agents and the fire marshal would need to review the information, and they wouldn't be available until this week, since Town Hall was closed Friday.
"The town needs to ensure that spectators are safe," Mr. McCormick said.
"None of this came up on Tuesday," Ms. Tooker noted. "It was just about preserved land and inspecting the field."
Mr. McCormick said the town needed a detailed written plan describing the event. Finally, on Saturday, Mr. Re sent out an e-mail saying the show was canceled.
"I had all my permits in on time, I paid the $200 application fee and I got an insurance policy paid in full. I did everything they asked," he said.
He said he was under pressure from the production company to secure the permit because they had an offer from another venue interested in the show.
"I felt like the town was just going to keep pushing this off," he said.
tgannon@timesreview.com
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6 comments found
Total Disgrace : 4/20/2009
While I am happy that Louis "The Rocket Re" won't be risking his life yet again. He is 100% correct. Town officials really could have been a bit more helpful. The responsibility of loss of revenue and more money lost to supporting veterans lays on them. Disgraceful.
you should be ashamed : 4/18/2009
For all the men and women who have served and are still serving this country to keep us all free, you should get on your knees and ask them to forgive all of you on the town board for being such idiots... This country is going to HELL with people like those who serve on town boards..... Laurie
Cancelled Show : 4/17/2009
Everywheres you go you have the politicians that plays their games. They always knows what is best and how to blame someone else. Now that it was not approved the councilors should at least donate a few extra thousands in dollars that was lost to the veterans to make up for the loss. Jim
Bureaucracy at its best : 4/16/2009
This is classic. Like a politican or lawyer, instead of denying a permit request, simply make so many demands of a nature that can't be fulfilled that it'll look like it's other people's fault the event wasn't approved. If town council wanted it, it would've been rubber stamped. This is a loss for Calverton area businesses at a bad economical time. This is a good cause and the veterans are the ones who will feel it, as will local businesses. Bravo bureaucratic concil member, bravo.
Beauracracy at its finest : 4/16/2009
If the town council wanted this event to take place they would have streamlined the approval process. Instead they made excuses why the burden of proof lay with others. The fact remains that the event was never approved. this is a loss for Calverton in commerce and revenue as well as for veterans in the area. Doug
canceling the show : 4/16/2009
It happens so offen with big fish in litte ponds they can not see the real world. Coucils should jump at every chance to help people that have the thoughts of the community to help. Julius Highgate
