LAKEPORT – The Lakeport City Council decided to act and vote against hosting BoardStock on Tuesday night, following a community meeting in which concerned residents largely came out against the event finding a home here.

This was the second community meeting held on Boardstock. It drew between 50 and 60 people Tuesday afternoon at City Hall before the council's regular meeting.

Acting City Manager Richard Knoll told the group that the feedback from the last meeting was roughly split, with a slight edge in numbers for those people opposed to it.

"I think the opinion on BoardStock is kinda mixed," he said.

Four City Council members began the meeting, with Buzz Bruns joining later but leaving before the council vote on the event during the regular meeting.

Knoll addressed the inflated attendee numbers from past years, which have been estimated as high as 50,000.

That's an inflated number, he said. The Lakeport version of the event would attract between 9,000 to 10,000 over four days (Thursday through Sunday).

Additionally, they projected 1,000 boats would be on the water around Lakeport, which is about the same number as were at Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa's event, Knoll said.

The resort reportedly dropped the event earlier this year because of concerns it could lose its liquor license because of about 40 underage drinking citations last year.

The majority of those who spoke about the event, including business owners and community members, were against it for a variety of reasons.

There also appeared to be a split along generational lines, with young people urging the event be given a chance.

The theme that recurred time and again was that the event needed to be nonalcoholic, carefully monitored and that gate proceeds should help cover city costs.

Lakeport resident George Kieffer said he likes Lakeport's small-town feel, and he didn't believe the city has the resources or the venue to host BoardStock.

"I don't want to be held prisoner in Lakeport for three days," he said.

He added, "Trust me, dodge the bullet."

Several local business owners said they opposed it, including Roy and Charlotte Disney of Disney's Water Sports, Gerry Sloper of Loeb's Ink Spot, Tammy Serrano of Lake Vacation Rentals and Barbara Breunig of Hillside Honda.

Lakeport McDonald's owner John Norcio said he hates to turn away business, but he's also against the plan.

He urged the council to think about the lake as an asset. "I cannot fathom the idea of paying somebody to come and use my asset. That's it," he said.

Lakeport Fire Protection District Chief Ken Wells said his board of directors has passed a resolution opposing the event, which he delivered to the council.

Speaking up for the young folks was Lakeport businesswoman Nancy Ruzicka.

"I think we should all thank our young people for being brave in coming to this podium," she said.

The park was created to draw tourists, which bring in tax revenues that help fill potholes, she said. The event will be good for local business, she added.

Melissa Fulton, executive director of the Lakeport Regional Chamber of Commerce, defended the event, saying she talked to a number of businesses about it coming to Lakeport and felt she received positive feedback overall.

The lake, she said, is seriously underutilized.

"Is BoardStock the answer? I don't know if it's the answer or not," she said.

Underage drinking can't be controlled 100-percent, she said, and it's been going on a long time.

She said every dollar spent at Lakeport businesses cycles through the community four to seven times.

Earlier that day, she said the chamber board of directors met and passed a resolution supporting efforts to bring major events to area as they match chamber's mission statement.

"They chose not to say they are supporting BoardStock or the triathlon, or any other event," she said.

Ron Campos, owner of Campos Casuals, said BoardStock is an athletic event that would be good for the town and bring tourism.

"This is an event that could help everybody," he said, and asked the council to give the event one year.

Jennifer Brennan, owner of Molly Brennan's, said they completely support the event. She gave examples of how problems with excess and underage drinking were handled at the pub's recent St. Patrick's Day event. They doubled staff, had a doorman and all of them made good money, she said.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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