The City of Loogootee has issued a statement expressing disappointment in Judge Richard Young’s recent ruling that struck down the city’s Special Event Ordinance as unconstitutional. City officials maintain that the ordinance was designed to apply equally to all groups and provide liability protection for the city while prioritizing public safety. The measure directs organizers to hold events at either Loogootee City Park or the downtown Green Space, with the option to close additional streets if an event is too large for those locations. According to the city, it was prepared to approve Pride Fest at the Green Space and even close an additional street to accommodate vendors. Officials argue that the size of the event does not require multiple street closures, noting that other small events have successfully used the Green Space without issues. City leaders emphasized that their opposition was not about free speech but about minimizing disruptions to businesses and residents. They also stated that Pride Fest had previously accepted the Green Space as a venue under a prior administration. The city said it plans to appeal the ruling, arguing that the ordinance ensures equal treatment for all groups requesting use of city property.
Official City of Loogootee Release
The City of Loogootee is deeply disappointed with Judge Young’s ruling that the Special Event Ordinance is unconstitutional. It is the city’s belief that the ordinance is constitutional because it was adopted to be applied and administered equally to all groups, organizations, and individuals requesting use of city property for events with liability protection for the city.
The Ordinance allows all groups to choose one of two locations for special events, the Loogootee City Park or the recently built Green Space area. If an event is too large to safely fit in either of these areas, then additional roads may be closed to ensure room for vendors and attractions. Safety is the paramount concern with the passing of the Ordinance on Special Events and continues to be so.
The City of Loogootee was ready to approve the application for Pride Fest at either the City Park or the Green Space. The city was even prepared to close an additional street around the Green Space area to accommodate their festival. However, the organizers of Pride Fest are not satisfied with that plan. There is no question as to the fact that the Green Space area along with the closure of one additional street could accommodate the size of Pride Fest.
The city understands the closing of roads affects businesses and the citizens in the city; and therefore, the city wants to minimize street closures. It makes no logical sense to close the same number of roads for an event that is one-tenth the size of other much larger events.
The Pride Festival is a small event with a small number of vendors that does not require the closure of multiple roads in Loogootee. Other small groups have had events at the Green Space with no problems or complaints. Those in charge of Pride Fest demanded the city square and refused to use the Green Space or the city parks for no other reason than they just wanted this particular area for their event. Previously, organizers of the Pride Fest were ok with their festival being held in the Green Space under a different administration.
This issue is not about free speech, but instead it is about politics. The City of Loogootee will continue to press forward to contest this ruling and appeal through the Courts to ensure that all groups are treated equally. So much misinformation on this issue has been disseminated and hopefully this press release will set the record straight.
