No Incidents At Biker Rally, But Legal Action May Follow

Last weekend’s biker rally that drew so much concern from local law enforcement officials turned out to be a pretty quiet occasion.

The aftermath may not be so quiet.

"Wetter and Wilder" biker rally coordinator and private club owner Bill Creed said Wednesday that he has spoken to an attorney to possibly pursue legal action after Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett set up a big command center near the event site.

Creed declined comment on why he was considering a lawsuit, referring those questions to Houston attorney Jim Ashley.

From his office, Ashley said he had only begun "the preliminary stages" of looking into the matter after speaking by telephone with Creed and could not comment further.

Creed, owner of Sawmill Steakhouse and Private Club, which was the site for the rally, did say some in attendance "were nervous about leaving and afraid of the repercussions of having one (alcoholic) drink."

Burnett reported no arrests, assaults or medical issues during the rally near Lake Tawakoni.

"It was very uneventful in that sense," Burnett said. "We had good interaction with people who did come in and out, with community and with all the business owners," he said, adding that several bikers stopped to chat at the command center Burnett set up near the event site.

About 94 attended the rally over Friday and Saturday, Creed said.

Burnett and Creed have been at odds since Creed applied for, and eventually got, a private club license to serve alcoholic beverages last August. The two had an impromptu debate about public safety factors during the planned biker rally last month during a county commissioners meeting.

Citing those safety concerns, Burnett met with several local and state law enforcement agencies and Sabine River Authority officials early last week. The result was the establishment of a command center, including a Homeland Security vehicle brought in from Gregg County.

Burnett said the command post vehicle was set at the event’s entry gate and parking was not allowed between Farm-to-Market Road 47 and Holiday Marina to allow space if any fire or emergency vehicles were needed.

"We had surveillance equipment, communications equipment…we were well set up for anything," Burnett said.

He added that although no incidents occurred at the event, the departments involved benefited from the experience.

"It turned out to be a training exercise that was well worth the effort. We now know we can handle mass gatherings. Everything was very positive from our standpoint…everybody worked together," Burnett said.

The event featured a "Battle of the Bands" on Saturday, which was won by Colton O’Neil.

"He was great and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to hire him," Creed said.

He added that iced tea and water were provided for free on the site to help prevent dehydration.