Sensing that some people might make a big issue out of this, for or against Eric Suher who owns the property, I went to Thursdays Conservation Commission meeting at the City Hall Annex. Suher (whose name is pronounced Sure) arrived late to the meeting, but It wasn't an issue since his Mountain Park property had not yet come up.
Suher sat with his back to the people in attendance, and explained to the commission all the work done at Mountain Park. He stated that the majority of work near the wetlands was in the picnic grove area of the former Park. Suher said that his contractors removed dead, and diseased trees, "For safety reasons".
Local reporters Ken Ross from the Republican, and Mike Dobbs from Reminder Publications were eagerly taking notes of Suher's statements. There has been a lot of interest in his plans for Mountain Park, and didn't take a mind reader to guess that everyone in attendance wanted to know more. Mountain Park holds a special place in the hearts of many Holyoker's.
I was taking photos of the meeting, but had trouble with the dull lighting of the room creating dark faces. When I came back around the table a second time with my flash now attached to my camera Suher asked if I would mind not taking his photo. Since he asked, and since I didn't want to make a nuisance I refrained from further picture taking. The photos already shot were probably adequate, so I sat down. Members of the public are well within their rights to photograph the meeting so long as they are not making a nuisance, or being disruptive.
Eric Suher immediatly raised the issue of another member of the public video taping the meeting. As soon as he asked the camera turned off I clicked my SLR into video mode and began recording.
I apologize for the low audio, my SLR does not have good sound pickup.
Eric Suher returned to the room a few moments later, and the meeting continued without further incident. He even made a clever joke that got the whole commission laughing. I sat thinking how laughable it is that a project like Mountain Park should somehow not garner attention from the public. I mean Eric knew people would take a strong interest in what he was doing when he bought the property.
The overall feeling I got from Mr Suher during this meeting was that he is a very self centered person. He made a non-issue, into an issue, which deflected the real issue, and put everyone on notice that he is the most important person in the room.
23 comments:
Looks like a bird pooped on him.
I was really distracted by the white spot on his jacket too! I wonder if he knew that was there? Maybe it was from a bird whose home was chopped down? :o) (For the record I am not concerned about dead and dangerous trees being cut down, I think that’s a good thing.)
Anyway.. I agree with you Vandog, he does seem self-centered. Mt Park holds a large place in the heart of Holyoke, if he wants (and he should want) the public behind him then he should be up front and forthright about his plans up there. Most people will be glad to see anything up there.. We just want to know, we want to feel included because no matter who legally owns the land, every one who visited Mt Park as a child feels a small sense of sentimental ownership of the land.
The sooner he realizes that the sooner people will stop giving him a hard time. Being secretive is just a way to appear elite, it's not working.
Ps. It was great to meet you!
Frankly, it's behavior like this that made me stop going to Suher's Northampton music venues. If you don't want the public to know about something, don't do something that concerns them, and/or don't show up at a public meeting concerning your property.
And definitely don't mess with a back-up drinking supply (I assume the wetlands issue is Whiting Reservoir).
Come on let's not all pile on to Eric. The guy has done more for Northampton's music scene and prosperity and anyone in recent memory. He employs hundreds of people and really cares about Holyoke. So if he's camera shy, leave him be. I worked for him for many years and he was fair and a good guy. The project at Mountain Park is a big long ordeal, he doesn't like to talk about stuff until it's ready. He will tell us all about and he'll make Holyoke a better place for his investment of time and energy. This issue of cutting the trees is minor, and don't mistake his shyness for self-centeredness.
I can totally respect that the man came to the meeting in paint stained work clothes, It shows He's a hard working guy. I can also respect that he is camera shy, I'm a shy person too, but Eric isn't timid, he's aggressive. Everyone at that meeting came with the best of intentions, and was happy to accommodate him if he asked. Eric didn't ask, He made a show out of it.
Is was great meeting you too Reduce, Hope to see you around more.
Josh, The wetland in question is not the reservoir, it's the low section of the property on the other side. Take a walk down the Mt Tom access road and you will see it.
Max, Your such a nice guy. It's good of you to stick up for your friend Eric.
I guess I do not understand why we give someone who is trying to take an unused property and do something with it a hard time. Mtn. Park HAD a special place here now it is unused property. Lets let Eric revitalize Holyoke. Lets not lose out like we did with Yankee Candle. So what if he is arrogant he started his business in Holoke let him continue.
Thanks for the post VanDog! I am also very curious as to the progress and state of the mountain park property. I have to say I am with a few on this board who feel people should give him a little more slack. I am happy to see someone who wants to invest in an old abandoned property that has great value if used properly. Does the old site hold memories, yes. Could a new attraction bring some future memories, absolutely. Let's hope that whatever it is he is doing will bring the city jobs, visitors and revenue for the city.
Thanks again for the inside look!
It seems that he is the kind of guy that demands respect but can not command respect. When you go and remove a set of trees like he did, you're just asking for someone to poke their nose around. I mean the lot now looks like a massive field of nothing. I am not sure how much land he owns, but after hiking up there and discovering a cleverly disguised hunting stand, questions arose which lead to things being investigated to a certain degree. It truly is a shame that so much land is sitting there wasting away. Gone are the great days of Mt Tom flourishing.
"The guy has done more for Northampton's music scene and prosperity and anyone in
recent memory."
You obviously have no clue. What a LOAD OF CRAP. Laughable even. The scene was better before him... the only thing that he did in Hamp was reopen the Calvin, which is great... but if it were not hime it would have been someone.
Baystate, Sheehan's, Eagles Nest, the old Iron Horse and old Pearl St... much better before Suher was on the scene.
IHEG takes 20% of merch sales from local and visiting bands. You do not see this anywhere else... not in NYC, LA, Chicago, Nashville etc. I know people in the industry, managers, A&R people, etc. They ask "what is up with Northampton, is this guy for real?". I've seen bands say "goodnight... if you want to buy some of our CDs, find us in the parking lot."
They also do pay-to-play for local bands that are openers. This does happen elsewhere... but Northampton is not a big city. Local acts are required to sell (or buy) sometimes 100 tickets. Very bad for the local musicians.
IHEG also pulled the plug last minute when there were some shows booked for the Loud Music Fest. Of course, he decided that his all ages dance party was more profitable than a festival that WAS ALREADY BOOKED at his venue.
They are understaffed... and often staffed by "volunteers" that work for free tickets. People have been in a line out the door while the main act started... when the main act wants to play longer to satisfy these people that were in line for a half hour they are shut off... abruptly... so the all age dance party can happen.
IHEG. Bad for artists, bad for fans. Northampton would be better off without the IHEG monopoly.
...and what about the other properties he sits on in Holyoke? "Pleasant Crossing" and the buildings on the canal?
Your last comment hit the nail on the head. And Max, personally I believe he is NOT shy, he IS absoultely self centered.
Look at the logos for and names of his businesses. He tries to incorporate his name into EVERYTHING! Only Eric can/would make the Pearl Street logo into his initials!
Hey, it's me again. I posted above about the craptastic IHEG venues.
I'd not visited the blog before, the Eric Suher link and Max's comment made me post. I was digging around and found this lovely gem, again from Max:
"Van Dog the only live music in Holyoke is when Dave Caputo holds one of his famous parties on Dwight Street near Essex and he rocks out the basement with his famous jam sessions."
Max, your keys to the internet should be revoked. You have a blog? Do people actually read it? C'mon. No music in Holyoke? There's quite a bit going on. There was a great latin metal band called El Machete Negro... Random Access Orchestra ( myspace.com/rao ), Barn Owl, Petulant Child... there's shows at the Waterfront, Elizurs', the War Memorial (via Flywheel), at many churches, basements and at warehouse spaces downtown... I've been to many parties and shows where there was great music that you would not know about. I checked out the Positronic youtube stuff... some good, some hippie jame band crap. Whatever... certainly not the only gig in town.
VanDog, I like that you sensed that people might make a big deal out of this. Obviously Eric Suher did not. He showed up late and was poorly dressed. I think if you are speaking before a commission you should be respectful by showing up on time and taking off your hat.
Nevertheless, I was more unnerved by the guy with the camera. You didn't identify him. Is he a citizen journalist? Suher's request to have the videographer turn off the camera was reasonable. If he wasn't a member of the media or didn't identify himself as a journalist he should take a seat elsewhere. That is, if he was just a guy taking a video as a citizen for his own use, he should take a seat in the gallery.
You didn't see Ross and Dobbs positioning themselves with a video camera directly on Suher.
VanDog, who is the guy with the video camera? I that that is the REAL story here.
As always, all comments are welcome here at RVD. I apologize if I don't answer everyones post. I'm bit busy with the Train Show this weekend.
Johnny, Citizens and Journalist are the same thing as far as A/V in a public meeting, but you are right about the location of the camera man. It's not unreasonable for the commission to restrict the public, and news people to the gallery section of the room.
I met the camera guy at the New Years Gala, but honesty don't know his name. When the Mt Park portion of the meeting was over Mike Dobbs and Me quickly left to meet Bill Dusty at Brennan's. We were late, and Bill was waiting. I didn't take the time to talk to the camera guy. Was hoping Ken Ross would have posted his story by now. Ken spoke with the camera guy.
Suher will be talked about for decades to come. Why? Because he really is not accountable to you or I. The mystique of Suher is really his genius, but will also be his undoing. Patience people, everything that rises must converge. Some day Suher will fall off his self-made pedestal.
No music in Holyoke? There's quite a bit going on.
Ok, Ok, I stand corrected, there is music in Holyoke, but it pales in comparison to what there is in 'Hamp. I was answering VD's question who ALSO thought there was no live music here.
Mr. anonymous commenter who the hell are you to think you can revoke my blogging rights? Only cowards post comments hiding behind their anonymous status. I guess if you had a blog you'd never make any mistakes, but...you don't and people like VD and I post daily and take the slings and arrows. The Iron Horse was pathetic before Eric took it over and would have closed forever...the policies you cite sound harsh but so is the reality of making money in the club business these days.
You can keep your blog. Forget I said anything. I don't normally read blogs. I was confusing blogging with journalism... where there is fact checking and editors that would nix a print piece or a letter if it was not worth printing. When it is anything goes like in the blog world the signal to noise ratio combined with the fact the most people believe what they read on the internet makes for a sad state of affairs for the collective mind - but good for those that want to spread their propaganda.
The Repub's article is up now:
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/01/developer_eric_suher_says_he_w.html?category=Arts/Entertainment+category=Holyoke
My own two cents, on a number of issues:
I've performed at every IHEG venue except the Calvin. I disagree completely with the merch policy. BUT, I've never had to pay to play. Yes, my band has had to go out and try to sell tickets -- but we never had to lay out cash for them. Yes, we got a crappy percentage of what we sold, but we always knew that going in; there were no surprises. I've made way more playing the Elevens and the Brass Cat and even Flywheel, but I've also played shows in NYC and made less. On the upside, the staff I've dealt with at the venues has always been fantastic, and that goes a long way toward making a show worthwhile. (Disclaimer: I'm now playing in a band with two people who work at the Horse, so, yes, I'm biased.)
I know Eric; not terribly well, but enough to make small talk when I see him on the street. I don't agree with everything he's ever done, but I have to get him a lot of credit for keeping his venues open in a tough economy. And, it says a lot that you'll see him clearing dirty glasses off tables at 1 a.m. The guy works far harder than I do.
Having said that, though, what happened at this meeting is unfortunate. He certainly has a right to make that kind of request, but the open meeting law is very, very clear: a citizen -- whether a member of the media or not -- can shoot pictures and video and make an audio recording, regardless of the preference of any of the participants. There are only a few restrictions: 1) If you're asked by the body that's meeting to confine your activity to a specific part of the room, you have to honor that; 2) You can't be disruptive or make a nuisance; 3) If the body is meeting in executive session, there are rules specific to that situation.
I think Eric has some very exciting plans for that property, so when I say it's "unfortunate" that he made that request it's because that type of thing has the potential to reinforce some of the negative beliefs about him. I know he has his reasons for trying to maintain a low profile with his projects, but I think if he were a *little more* open about his plans he'd find very significant public support and enthusiasm.
I think most Holyokers -- as well as people like me who just love the city -- would be thrilled to see that property become a reason for people to visit. And, I think it's to Eric's credit that he didn't try to immediately cash in by building a 55+ condo subdivision.
- Greg Saulmon
Wow. Eric sure gets people testy. I didn't mean for that to sound like some idiotic play on words.
As far as downtown Northampton is concerned, Max and Greg, I can't say that I think Eric has been a positive element. I don't say this because he rented to Urban Outfitters, or because he is an ironfisted music promoter, but because he buys property and lets it stand dormant while he waits for the right moment to make his move.
This makes good business sense, but when you own half of downtown, you start to freeze everything. Eric made much of his fortune by walking into downtown Northampton more than 2 decades after the seeds had been laid, and harvested what visionaries like Sam Goldman, Floyd Andrus, and Dave Bourbeau started. That isn't something to hold against him, it just means he had the good sense to get in when the property values made their most dramatic advances.
What we need in Holyoke are not people who can make the profit after all of the creative development has been done, but people who will put the rubber to the road and take some risks. Sadly, I am not sure that Eric is up to the task. He is too cautious. Hopefully he will move a little quicker on this project, but I will not hold my breath.
Rambling and Friends... Who cares who you like...or what you think should by law happen at an open meeting..All of your posters are ignorant to the fact that this site was up for grabs for so long and the evils that could have bought this property.....uguugh!!.
Your blog is exactly why Holyoke does not attract more investors to Holyoke... I have seen it and witnessed what nay-sayers can do to Holyoke. It does not take much... all of you tree huggers should be very happy Eric has taken this on... I am sure when he sells to Hilton he will make sure all of the conservation laws are in place.....What a desirable piece of property. But WHILE YOUR AT IT>>>TRY THE EMISSIONS FROM THE ROUTE 5 Coal plant some of the worst in the country......High rate of cancer , autism and disabilities abound...try this one on for size and see if an owner gives you the time of day......about the illegal polluting of our river and air!!!!!
Can Someone please tell me how the Pearl Street logo of PS looks anything like his initials of ES.
I understand the comment in regards to his original business enterprise ES Sports, but he started that at what...age 18? He most likely had no legal team, no research team just his mind to come up with a name that would not get him sued. Using his initials made sense.
He is a business man, there is no denying that, and a good one at that receiving the MA young Entrepreneur award some years ago. He is of course going to look to make money, thats what allows him to do other projects such as Mtn Park, which will be one of the nicest outdoor venues in New England wthout the commercialism of the Comcast Center, if some of you people will just let him do what he does best.
I think most businesspeople are fairly private about their projects (not shy) except for the ones that are really truly self centered i.e. the Trumps of the world. Northampton does not have a Suher tower or even a Suher Theater, what it has is a vibrant scene that attracts concert goers from a very large radius. Perhaps someone else could have done the same thing...but they didn't, and those that tried before failed.
Thanks for your input Anon, Seems his story still gets a strong reaction, 6 months later.
Perhaps it is because the long awaited opening of Mountain Park and the Decemberists is just over a week away
I had a run-in with Mr. Suher tonight at the Iron Horse. He is a first rate jack-off. Having money and power doesn't equate to having class. He lost a long time customer tonight.
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