BURLINGTON, Vt. -
The promoter behind a controversial party is firing back at Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger.
Promoter Dave Portnoy says the mayor has unfairly attacked the Friday night rave-like party when thousands of people packed city-owned Memorial Auditorium.
"We actually thought the event went really smoothly and was run well," says Portnoy.
On Monday, Weinberger called a press conference to announce the party would not be returning to the auditorium.
"We could've had someone die Friday night, we're lucky we didn't," says Weinberger.
"We've never had anything even remotely serious like medical issue. So for him to say, 'We're lucky somebody didn't die,' I mean that puts a really bad light on us and is completely false," says Portnoy.
The mayor seemed to blame the party for overcrowding and damage to the auditorium. But Weinberger's biggest concerned appeared to be the 16 underage kids who police found boozed up.
"If you go to any college event with 2,400 people you can pick that same number out whether it's a hockey game or a concert," says Portnoy.
Portnoy says the party paid the city to provide security, which in turn decided who should get in and how many. Portnoy says any damage was minor and will be covered by the security deposit.
"Seems like one of those parties that likes to generate headlines, so in the end is this really all bad news?" asked FOX44.
"No, we're not looking to build anymore controversy," says Portnoy.
Portnoy says he is not sure if the party will come back, after three times in the Burlington area. Portnoy says he would want to use the auditorium but Burlington's mayor says he won't let that happen again.
Weinberger's office released a statement saying he wouldn't comment on the promoter's reaction. The mayor did say the city will work to create new rules for events that use city property.
