Last modified: Thursday, July 2, 2009 1:56 AM EDT GUEST COLUMN: Three Jackson concerts were too many BY JACK AUTHELET It is most unfortunate that Mark Farinella chose to play the race card in his story on the Foxboro selectmen denying Chuck Sullivan's request for three back-to-back concert dates at Sullivan Stadium back in 1984 ("Jackson played part in Pats' history that was real 'thriller'" June 26). The denial of the license had nothing to do with Michael Jackson, but it had a lot to do with "elements" such as the local police and fire chiefs stating they could not sustain public safety coverage over three nights, with both Sturdy and Norwood Hospital stating they could not adequately staff their emergency rooms over three consecutive nights. Terrified residents of North Street as well as South Walpole were begging for mercy against the onslaught of over-run neighborhoods, drunken fans running through their yards, and the list went on, based on the indignities suffered even when it was just the local team hosting a football game. The "mysterious unknown" part of the element was based on police reports from every venue Jackson had performed to date with respect to how many thousand ticketless fans showed up at the gate, how many thousands stormed the gates in various locations, the extent of property damage in adjacent areas, the fires, overturned vehicles. Such behavior by fans had been a constant at every appearance: the selectmen had to make a judgment call as to how badly they felt it would impact the Foxboro location. It had been made clear to Chuck Sullivan long before the hearing that every public safety agency in the area had gone on record as not being able to support three back-to-back concert dates. I went into that hearing believing that if Chuck had asked for a single appearance, it would have been approved. I still believe that today. But when we were dealing with arguably the most inept concert producer in history, nobody was surprised when he pushed ahead anyway. It could also be said that nobody should have been surprised when the three-date request was denied, as it would have been for any performer or group. Three selectmen - a barber, a jeweler and an engineer - entered that hearing with an open mind and a deep sense of responsibility to the public and the need to preserve law and order. They knew the eyes of the world were upon them, and they acted honorably, as they knew they were sworn to do. Failure to do so would have been irresponsible. Many of the same issues of fan behavior were present when another courageous hearing refused to license Monday Night Football - a first in the league - because the later starting time gave the unruly few that much more time to get sloshed before the opening kickoff. So once and for all, let's get the story right: the board of selectmen in Foxboro did not deny the Michael Jackson concert. They denied a request for three back-to-back concerts with a clear signal it mattered not who was performing and there was no mystery as to why. JACK AUTHELET is a retired editor of The Foxboro Reporter. Farinella's column commented, "It's easy to presume that racism was at the root of their fears - perhaps too easy."