
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 26, 1990                   TAG: 9006260418
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SOLICITING TACTICS FOR BENEFIT SHOW ARE CRITICIZED

CONCERNING your May 25 article on the Bellamy Brothers concert, I was impressed with Sam Price's concern for the citizens of Roanoke. However, I feel compelled to add a few facts.

First, the Gehl Group goal for this event was $300,000. At $11 per ticket, that comes to 27,272. I don't think our Civic Center will accommodate this many people.

Secondly, this benefit helps the Roanoke Firefighters Association to the tone of 10 percent of net proceeds.

The Gehl Group hires the performers, rents the building and solicits ticket sales. However, Price fails to mention his salary or those of corporate executives in Greensboro, N.C., Nashville, Tenn., and Florida.

Price does not hire female solicitors because he wants members of the public to think they are talking to firemen who volunteer their efforts to benefit their organization. Solicitors are paid a salary plus bonus of dollars collected and must reach a dollar goal each day ($300 when I was there), or they are terminated immediately.

Customers are told that proceeds go to help civic groups, pay for lobbyists, etc. Simply put, this is hogwash. Also, people are told if they choose not to attend, to please return tickets to their office to be put to good use. Also true. They are used to mark the space on phone strips so the next customer can be called.

This letter does not reflect on our firefighters who, for the most part, are fine people doing an outstanding job. I just feel the public should be informed better and not misled by Sam Price or the Gehl Group.

\ RICHARD L. CUNDIFF\ ROANOKE

by CNB