Bikes Taking New Turn

Dan Allen, managing director of GMS Group Inc. in Fayetteville, has resigned as the promoter of the city’s Bikes, Blues & Barbecue festival.

In an e-mail, Allen thanked the many volunteers and Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody. But Allen also said he had to deal with “too much disrespect and too little professional courtesy for the small fee” his company was paid. He added that any questions or comments about the future of the event could be directed to Bill Ramsey, the CEO of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce and a board member of the festival.

The biggest complaint from the event came from Dickson Street restaurant owners who lost business to out-of-town food vendors who set up booths on the street.

“We’ve got some problems to iron out,” said Coody. “The local merchants should get more benefits, the police should get better overtime, etc. It was an excellent festival. It just needs fine tuned.

“The businesses [on Dickson] should have first shot at setting up their own booths right outside their doors selling tacos, egg rolls, burgers or whatever.”