Online Campaigns Launched to 'Save the Oakdale' in Wallingford (Update)

While Live Nation Worldwide Inc. is scheduled to state its case to the Wallingford Zoning Board of Appeals in February following the cease and desist order the town issued to the Toyota Oakdale Theatre, fans of the music venue are showing their support in full force.

The Meriden Record-Journal reported that the town is alleging that the Oakdale is violating its permit by holding concerts in “The Dome” and by exceeding noise levels and using an unapproved parking area.

Since then, an online petition and a Facebook page, both called Save the Oakdale, have been launched.

The organizers aren’t listed, but both the petition and Facebook page state: “A cease and desist order issued by the town is serious and could spell the end to the Oakdale!”

As of 2 p.m., the Save the Oakdale online petition had 2,640 signatures — 264 percent of the 1,000 goal that the petition had set.

The Facebook page had 2,708 “likes” as of 2 p.m.

The Record-Journal reports that two sound studies conducted by companies hired by the town and Live Nation Worldwide Inc. have yielded contradictory results about the noise levels at the Oakdale. Read more here.

Wallingford Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. also told the Record-Journal that the town negotiated for months, as far back as the spring, before issuing the cease-and-desist letter to the Oakdale.

Read the full story at the Meriden Record-Journal here.

Update:

As of 12 a.m. Friday, the Save the Oakdale petition was up to 3,990 signatures and the Facebook page had 3,384 likes.

However, Mayor William W. Dickinson Jr. told the Meriden Record-Journal that he didn’t think the petition would have an impact on how the ZBA views the appeal.

“If it’s a violation of law, it’s a violation of law,” Dickinson told the Record-Journal. “It’s not a popularity issue, you can’t violate the law ... The Oakdale is a popular entertainment venue, but every business in town is expected to meet the requirements of the law.”

Read the full story at the Record-Journal here.

Image via Facebook

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