Local DIY community thrives under adversity

To the Editor:

As a member of the Action Committee and a regular attendee and organizer of house shows in Athens, Ohio, I am highly disappointed that the City of Athens Office of Code Enforcement has chosen to go out of its way to shut down the positive, constructive and community-enriching DIY scene. Not only this, but I am appalled that, instead of confronting us about our actions during the course of the past school year when there could be an active dialogue between our supporters and city officials, the Office of Code Enforcement cowardly waited until many of the students who would be able to defend us and present our side of the story left town for the summer, assuming that this would ensure little opposition to their enforcement/interpretation of the zoning code.

For those of you who do not know, the Action Committee is a loose confederation of organizers and musicians that have been active in building a positive reputation for Athens as a place that encourages free musical and artistic expression in a non-corporate, non-profit and community-oriented atmosphere. We have stood as an alternative to the culture of substance abuse that runs rampant through this town and have always encouraged substance-free behavior or, at very least, moderation. Through our ethics and promotion, we have attempted to reach out to all members of the community, students and non-students alike, to help participate in building this community. Furthermore, we have always been respectful of the people who live in the neighborhoods that we are active in by using discretion with our events and always ending before the noise ordinance kicks in late at night.

In fact, I believe that the city of Athens itself is conflicted on the actions of Code Enforcement. Police Chief Rick Mayer has stated his indifference toward our activities (as his officers have never once had to respond to our events, nor have we ever had a noise complaint called in on us), and Athens' own mayor, Paul Wiehl, has voiced his personal support for our actions and shown his sympathy to our cause by attending our events, notably the Action Committee Chili Cook-Off that he acted as a judge for last fall.

I would like to ask: what has changed? When did our policy of encouraging donations that go completely to the traveling musicians and artists become running an illegal business? When did a positive, inclusive and welcoming community group become enemies of the public? When did the Action Committee's doctrine of anti-excess, respect for oneself and others, and responsible activities become a greater problem than the perpetual party culture that stirs resentment within the community? And finally, when did our actions harm the reputation of the community so much that Code Enforcement had to focus on a group of young, community-minded musicians and artists rather than the well-known slumlords that still allow their properties to slip into ruin?

Whatever the outcome, the DIY community in Athens will only grow stronger when faced with adversity. We will continue to stand for positive cultural events, foster inclusive and welcoming community activities, and resist the excess and apathy that plagues our society.

Aaron Vilk, proud member of The Action Committee
31 Brown Avenue
Athens