If any city in the state of California should be applauded for its efforts to improve its downtown core, it is Stockton. In the past few years, mostly due to the determination of Stockton city officials, downtown has been the site of myriad civic improvement projects. Stockton has refurbished the Fox Theater, cleaned up an under-utilized water front (yes, this is a port city in the Central Valley), added an outdoor concert venue with a fancy fountain in the Webber Events Center, saw the building of a multiplex movie theater, addition of parking, renovation of the Stockton Hotel landmark, and built a waterfront baseball stadium. Most recently, Stockton opened the Stockton Arena, home to hockey, football, and soccer teams. As part of its opening ceremonies for the publicly owned arena, Stockton city officials planned to kick off concerts by bringing in a big-time performer with Neil Diamond.

Stockton was able to swiftly and easily redevelop downtown, especially in building so many attractions. In comparison, big brother to the north Sacramento has been struggling for years to come up with a plan to build a new basketball arena, particularly due to little voter interest in using public funds. Now it seems this free and easy city management style might be catching up with Stockton. Many in the community were angered when city officials did not follow open meeting laws in disclosing the costs of the concert. As is often the case within the concert industry, negotiations with artists and agents are often confidential, as artists are trying to receive compensation from various venues. The performers do not want promoters to know "the going rate", which would hamper their ability to negotiate the best price possible.

Apparently, it cost the City about $1 million to contract Neil Diamond. With an expected sellout at the Stockton Arena, the city will lose $200,000-400,000. The high sums of money add to the outrage that citizens feel, further insisting that those amounts of money must be open to public oversight. The City Council was able to force the City Manager last week to reveal the costs of the concert.

While it is hard to figure a positive coming from this opening concert, the accomplishments of the City have to be admired. However, it is also a lesson that must be learned by Stockton and other cities involved in similar enterprises. While it is great that Stockton has been able to do so much to improve the city with funds they have access to, it must be remembered the ultimate source of the funds. Government entities in the United States are using the people's funds, and the people must be given the opportunity to object. Publicly funded concerts, due to industry standards, will always be in conflict between secrecy and the right of people to know. Stockton officials may need to slow down from their ambitious goals and remember who they serve.