Council: Don't Dare Cancel Dell East Season

Several City Council members today objected to a plan by Mayor Nutter's staff to shutter the Robin Hood Dell East for the 2008 concert series so that repairs can be made to the venue.

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown introduced a resolution saying the Department of Recreation, which manages the venue, "must commit" to have the concerts there or find a alternative site for the season.

She called on the Nutter administration, which sprung news of the Dell East problems on Council this week, to have an "open, honest and candid" discussion on the issue. She also warned Council will hold hearings if it doesn't like the answers it hears.

A chief Council concern: repairs made through the 2008 concert season could drag on, endangering the 2009 season as well.