Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower has been making headlines in that city recently with his crusade to crack down on illegal drug activity during concerts. Apparently prompted by a Rat Dog concert where it was said it "smelled like an Amsterdam hash bar", Mumpower asked local police to crack down on drug activity in and around the Civic Center during a Widespread Panic show on April 13th. He also asked County Sheriff’s and Highway Patrol to check autos for drink drivers.
Mumpower, planning to attend the concert to see first hand any illegal activity, also invited other city council members to attend the show.
Local residents, hearing that Mumpower may show up at the Civic center, printed Mumpower Masks and handed them freely to concertgoers to mock the councilman.
The band had responded earlier in the week in a letter addressed to the City Council stating:
"It has come to our attention that there is a misperception of Widespread Panic and its fan base," the band said through spokeswoman Annissa Mason. "We would like to make it clear that the band does not condone the use of drugs. While some choose to focus on the few in attendance who make their own personal choices, this overlooks the contributions that the band and its fans actively make to the needy of the community at large."
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