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VIBES director concerned by council member�s comments By Jessica Smith A Medford City Council member�s questions about the VIBES dance hall has the club director worried about the establishment�s reputation in the community. Tom Cole, executive director of Kids Unlimited, which opened VIBES in March, said statements made by Councilman Curt Bennett at a council meeting Oct. 19 cast a shadow over what the club is trying to do for local kids. "It really felt like (Bennett was) trying to destroy our credibility," said Cole, who plans to address the council at its Nov. 2 meeting. "It just felt crummy." Bennett, however, said he was justly raising concerns brought to his attention by parents who objected to a now-canceled punk concert that was to be held tonight at VIBES. Because the city gave Kids Unlimited $25,000 toward VIBES, located at 1 E. Main St., Bennett said he wanted to be sure public funds were being used as intended. A private organizer had rented the VIBES facility for the concert, Cole said. The show was not sponsored by the teen club, he said. Still, Bennett said he was troubled by the event. A flyer for the concert announced that bands featured at the show would include The DayGlo Abortions, Statch and the Rapes, and Humanicide. It also was billed as an all-ages show. Bennett said he worried that VIBES was trying to compete with clubs that serve older crowds. Since VIBES� mission is to provide a smoke- and alcohol-free environment for the under-21 crowd, Bennett said he questioned the appropriateness of a mixed-age concert. "I wanted parents to be aware of what was going on down there," said Bennett. "But am I just trying to discredit (Cole)? No. I think he does a lot of good in the community." Cole, however, said the damage has been done. Although Cole canceled the punk concert last week after learning about the names of the featured bands, he said he�s concerned that parents who watched the council�s televised Oct. 19 meeting will get the wrong idea about VIBES and its programs. "I�m upset that there wasn�t more consideration given to this organization for what we�ve done," Cole said. Kids Unlimited, he said, works with thousands of area youths in after-school programs, summer camps and teen activities to promote education and responsibility. After receiving a request from Mayor Lindsay Berryman to appear at the council�s study session this week to discuss VIBES, Cole asked that he instead be given a chance to address Bennett�s concerns at a televised meeting. He said he�ll speak to the council at its 7 p.m. meeting Nov. 2. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.