Steamboat Pilot & Today

I would like to comment on the PBR rodeo on Sept. 1.

First, let me say that it was a very well organized and entertaining show. I've attended rodeos all my life and I am a former contestant. I have also worked for a rodeo contractor. So I can appreciate a job well done.

Second, the overselling of reserve tickets was, in my opinion, illegal immoral, unethical and down right wrong.

The Chamber Resort Association shouldn't allow this. The PBR shouldn't allow something like this to tarnish its reputation. The person or persons responsible should be punished.

My wife and I arrived early and got an aisle seat. So you might ask what is my complaint?

After the seats filled up, people with reserved seating tickets started sitting in the aisles. I don't blame them. Then an official chased them out, but only after a lot of angry screaming. Again I can sympathize with both sides. When a man behind us was saving seats for his wife and children, who were standing in line for the barbecue, a man with reserve seating tickets and nowhere to sit tried to take the seats for his family, and another argument broke out with pushing and shoving. Again I understand both sides. Then the aisles filled up again with people that had nowhere else to sit. The same official must have decided that the fire hazard had passed and (it was) perfectly safe and legal to sit in the aisles.

Then there was the woman who helped her crippled elderly mother all the way to the top of the bleachers only to find out that there was no place to sit.

I'm sorry, but reserve tickets should mean that no matter how late you show up, there will be a place for you to sit. General admission means first come, first serve. If you show up late, you take your chances. There should not have been a difference in ticket prices, because it was all general admission.

I read in the Today paper that Brent Romick was the promoter of this. If he is, maybe he should be penalized.

Gary Burkholder

Yampa