That's been discussed on this forum...look around a little.
Basically, my understanding is this:
* Locals have abused the merchant pass system for years
* Planet Bluegrass has generally looked the other way
* last year the abuse reached unprecedented levels
* it all came to a head when someone who purchased a merchant pass from someone on the street was refused entry, turned violent, and injured a Planet Bluegrass volunteer
* Game Over. End of Merchant Pass system.
The locals can whine all they want, but they brought the end of the program on themselves.
I'm sure Dustin or Craig will corrrect me if I'm way off base.
I believe the thread you're referring to was deleted.
Not by us....for the record.
"local" deleted that thread for some reason.
Glad to know it wasn't something I said!
Just caved in and ordered a 4-day pass. I figured it wasn't worth the worry or hassle of showing up at the crack of dawn in below zero weather only to save $15. Will still probably just cruise by there when there's no line and see if there are any still available & then either return / sell the full price ticket ... the difference of which equals = vegan plate at La Cocina. I'd certainly prefer not to have to do this, but the article in today's TDP said there were only 1k tickets left!
I think the OP makes a good point about simply making the locals' tickets available first. Logistical issues and tactical nuances aside, if there's not going to be a merchant pass and PB is still amenable to some sort of small benefit to locals, then I think it only makes sense to put them on the block first ... this way locals will know where they stand if/once this limited pool dries up. I realize the date was moved up to Jan from March, which was a step in the right direction, but my suspicion is there will be some locals who are holding out because of the discount - some of whom might be left in the cold. I guess what I'm saying is that it'd almost be better not to have the discount in the first place if it's going to go on sale at a later date than the general pool (which might sell out very soon).
It's difficult to blame PB for taking a more hardlined approach; however, I personally would never equate the actions of a single individual to that of a whole group ... even if there was more than just one bad apple. Having said that, I'd have very little issue throwing the book at anyone who was abusive, let alone violent.
Regardless of the few bad apples, perhaps people's expectations will become more in line with reality over the next year or so & we'll see some general adjustments in attitude.
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