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J wrote on Sep 23, 2008 2:08 AM:
i was involved in lab band from '98 through '04. i made lifelong friends, developed a love for music, and got to spread that love to people around the country. this was because of Greg Young who invited me to practice when i was picking up some reeds from southbound sound. labband isnt labband without the young's. because of the people on the board, this amazing youth organization has suffered a hit from which it may not recover. good luck finding another director as talented and dedicated as greg. he selflessly gave everything he was to the program for 16 years (without compensation as many of you already know) and this is how he is repaid? I've read a few comments saying "what kind of message are we sending to the children if he is not held responsible for his actions?" to you i pose this question: what kind of message are we sending by condemning a man who has done so much for our community, music, and our kids? it seems that message is more like "it doesnt matter how good of a person you are, money is what really matters".
Patti Norman wrote on Sep 18, 2008 9:38 AM:
uhm.........haven't seen my comment?
Was it tooo offensive to the people who do not know Gregg or Patti?
To the person who does not care?
Do you have kids?
Do you know what is out there on the streets?
Do you have any sense to what you need to find out before you make any statements?..know the facts before you write your "who Care". Obviously you have no sense of community support. Is it all about YOU?.
Be very careful what you write without knowing the whole story. Opinions are debatable and I would Love to confront you on you ethics and morals.
Lab Band kept my kids off the streets at night and gave them a sense of belonging. Read alot of these comments and you will probably know most of them are very supportive of Gregg and Patti.
Was it tooo offensive to the people who do not know Gregg or Patti?
To the person who does not care?
Do you have kids?
Do you know what is out there on the streets?
Do you have any sense to what you need to find out before you make any statements?..know the facts before you write your "who Care". Obviously you have no sense of community support. Is it all about YOU?.
Be very careful what you write without knowing the whole story. Opinions are debatable and I would Love to confront you on you ethics and morals.
Lab Band kept my kids off the streets at night and gave them a sense of belonging. Read alot of these comments and you will probably know most of them are very supportive of Gregg and Patti.
Kathy Howard wrote on Sep 17, 2008 2:20 PM:
My son was involved with LB from its conception. I witnessed it go from a project that practiced one night a week to practicing and performing 3 or 4 nights a week at times. At that time the band played for donations.I have noted that they have been charging membership of $10 a month and get compensated for gigs. How much of that was going to the Young's? Let me guess - NONE. The board and parents ran the Youngs into the ground without considering the expenses this family was incurring. Shame on us all for not taking care of this problem years ago.
Larry Kreiser wrote on Sep 17, 2008 1:06 PM:
hmmm...it seemed the world didn't like my entire comment and only posted my closing statement...
Larry Kreiser wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:12 PM:
(cont)......I'm sorry without Greg and Patti labband will crumble. And sorry parents and board members, no-one will make money off of it, Greg and Patti's program that is.
Larry Kreiser wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:11 PM:
What in the world is going on here? I have spent most of my youth involved in Greg and Patti's Labband program. I see nothing in these articles that states what horrible things these people have done other than that Mr. Young is not a financial genius? I think everyone is being a bit selfish and everyone involved in Greg and Patti's Labband program owes him big time. Even Me. How much money have I spent traveling and on uniforms, instrument repairs, etc... none! All out of their pockets. Not to mention the time they donate. 2 or 3 days a week after work and then many weekends. I don't care what they have done personally, I just know they should be given a little more credit for how they have contributed to this community for so long. When I left Greg and Patti's labband, the program was starting to be run by certain parents taking upon themselves decisions about performances regarding which would bring in more money and which would not. Greg and Patti were never like that and just wanted the kids to get out there and show what they have learned.........
Brett Howard wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:45 AM:
I'll never forget a concert that we often played (that I think we played for free) where a bunch of kids were staying the night in their gymnasium in sleeping bags. These kids weren't much younger than we were but they'd ask for our autographs and would give us beaded trinkets and bracelets that they'd worked hard to make.
Lab Band was a labor of love. I'm sad to see its out grown itself and ripped its heart out.
Lab Band was a labor of love. I'm sad to see its out grown itself and ripped its heart out.
Brett Howard wrote on Sep 17, 2008 12:42 AM:
I was with labband back when the equipment location and talent was provided by the youngs. We practiced in their store. I lived in Myrtle Point but grew up as part of the Young family. I was good friends with most of his kids. All very wonderful people. I've been through smiles and tears with G&P and submit that labband is nothing without them. I'm sorry the parents and board ruined labband. I can assure you this isn't Passing it on! I hope G&P finally get time to live their own lives after giving their all to the community for so long.
Richard Hansen wrote on Sep 4, 2008 8:44 PM:
Apparently music isn't as important as money, or else this wouldn't have happened. Mr. Young may be well-regarded and a "musical genius," but a crime is a crime - what would this say to others, to the students, if he is allowed to buck the system and take no punishment for his wrongdoing? Does popularity and community ranking allow a person to be above the law? Well, it does...but it shouldn't.
who cares wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:56 AM:
This is actually big news in Coos Bay? People there are so concerned about unimportant gossip. I lived there for the first 20 years of my life and I have no idea what this "lab band" even is, nor do I care. Maybe if the people would focus more on important things going on in the world around them than small town gossip the town wouldn't seems so backwards and uninformed.
DONTRACYAVID FANS wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:54 PM:
WELL SAID LIZZ, THE BOARD SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT MANAGE OR FULFILL THEIR OLIGATIONS.THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LETTING THINGS GET OUT OF HAND. REPLACE THEM. WHAT CREDENTIALS DOES THE TREASURER HAVE??? NON PROFITS RULES ARE VERY STRINGENT. IF THE BOARD DOES NOT KNOW THEM THEN THEY NEED TO GO !!!!!
A person wrote on Sep 3, 2008 9:05 AM:
It's funny that you say they edited the resignation letter...It's the same thing thats posted on the bulletin board in the hall of the lab band building. Greg and Patti have built an awesome program, and in a way have prepared the bands for something like this where they're out. His two assistant directors are more than capable of holding it together musically, which is really what Greg cared about, the music. The Medford and Sun Valley festivals are what this band needs to remind them of why they are in it. Ask them all, they will tell you the same thing. Play music, be with friends, and have fun, which is what they do.
HELLOTHERE wrote on Sep 2, 2008 11:44 PM:
A crime is a crime, but having Greg resign from Lab Band is a crime in its own. How about when Lab Band started, and was funded out of Greg and Patti's own pockets? How about when the Youngs used their own vehicles and gas to take kids around to performances? And let's not forget all the equipment and discounts given to the Lab Band from Greg and Patti's own store. They created and grew LB, let them stay, and let IRS work out the details with the money. I know to the whole Young family music is more important than money, and I just hope they make it through this.
mistakes happen wrote on Sep 2, 2008 12:56 AM:
Greg and patti young built a great program. GREAT JOB GREG!! To the board keep this out of the media and you will survive. keep it in the media and you will not last. Becca way to stand up i knew you are a great kid....
Frustrated wrote on Aug 31, 2008 5:16 PM:
Jazz Fan,
No, I am not on the board of directors. Although I have been involved in the program since it was created.
I am Greg and Patti's oldest daughter, Becca Young.
No, I am not on the board of directors. Although I have been involved in the program since it was created.
I am Greg and Patti's oldest daughter, Becca Young.
Jeremy Right wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:45 PM:
I don't think it's possible to have a "win , win" situation. Mr. Young even stated so in his resignation letter. Mr. Young served the community with excellence for 16 years, but with what has been revealed to the community (and surely more will come) it's best that the community moves on without him. I pray Mr. Young and his wife reach out to God and ask for forgiveness.
lizz wrote on Aug 29, 2008 10:46 AM:
Well, an amazingly talented and all around amazing man was tried and convicted in this town by an incompetant newspaper, uninformed citizens, and a board of completely unprofessional imbeciles. This man that changed the lives of so many and impacted our community so much didn't even get a chance to explain, make ammends, or even be professionally investigated by anyone more intelligent than an angry mob! Look around people, get real, you know our community has Very few people in it that are willing to serve our community just for the sake of it the way the Youngs did. Very few people here are standing up for children, music, and the future. Very few people are giving their hearts and souls to their cause, unless there is a paycheck. Do you think that people will be jumping in and dedicating their life to do amazing things if they will just be persecuted after everything they have done? It is a sad time for the area and a sad time for the children whos lives were shaped by this man and his band, but more so the ones that won't get the chance.
JAZZ FAN wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:39 AM:
Frustrated, I take it you are a membe of the board and are looking to make this situation worse than what it is. I feel sorry for you -- I hope is that the Lab Band survives this, and know that if is doesn't you are a large part of that loss. I wish the Lab Band continued success despite people like you.
Kaye wrote on Aug 29, 2008 7:15 AM:
so, now what if Mr. Young indeed has embezzled money?
It is a federal crime and he needs to suffer the consequences.
No matter how much he has done for the lab band, which is undeniable, what example is it for the children if there are no responsibilities and consequences to actions an adult chooses to take???
It is a federal crime and he needs to suffer the consequences.
No matter how much he has done for the lab band, which is undeniable, what example is it for the children if there are no responsibilities and consequences to actions an adult chooses to take???
Frustrated wrote on Aug 28, 2008 10:36 PM:
I like the way they edited the letter of resignation and left a lot of it out.
That's frustrating.
That's frustrating.
no dog in fight wrote on Aug 28, 2008 9:02 PM:
Yeah, Sanford says Young is a musical genius but not a financial genius. It doesn't take a financial genius to understand the fact that the person signing the checks shouldn't be keeping the books. It doesn't take a financial genius to notice that the Youngs gave all they had to making the band go, and that they were not independently wealthy. It doesn't take a financial genius to figure out that if there were no mnney to compensate this musical genius that there will be no money to hire his replacement along with travel expenses of guest directors. What an ingenious board!
CHARLES EVANS wrote on Aug 28, 2008 5:18 PM:
I recently attended the Lab Band's concert at the Egyptian Theater during the Blackberry Arts Festival. I went on the recommendation of some friends and really didn't know what to expect. I have to say that their performance was an amazing experience. Mr. Young is undoubtedly a gifted and extraordinary instructor. The performance went beyond the individual efforts of these very enthusiastic young people--it was very evident that their performance was highly influenced by a very talented individual. I don't know Greg Young, but in my estimation the Lab Band completely exceeded my expectations and I would suspect that his contribution was in no small part. I truly hope that people take that in consideration.
dp wrote on Aug 28, 2008 5:00 PM:
The lab band has just lost it motor. It will not be long before the transmission, wheels and body fall apart. Too bad the leadership could not have resolved this matter in a private fashion and kept the person who has been the driving force for 16 years involved.
MY CENTS wrote on Aug 28, 2008 3:10 PM:
YOU COULD HAVE A WIN WIN!!!!
LET YOUNG BE THE DIRECTOR AND SOME ONE ELSE MANAGE THE MONEY SIDE. HE IS TO GOOD TO LET GO. ASK AND YOU ARE FORGIVEN.
LET YOUNG BE THE DIRECTOR AND SOME ONE ELSE MANAGE THE MONEY SIDE. HE IS TO GOOD TO LET GO. ASK AND YOU ARE FORGIVEN.
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