[redwitch]

I vote with no reserved/saved seats. If you and your friends want those tables and special chairs, put your rear end in 'em and stay in 'em. I've seen it time and again here -- for Rocky n the Rollers, for the parades, tree lightings, etc.

The first time I saw it, I thought maybe the tables were special seating for which you paid. When I found out they were free, I didn't get it. I would love to see someone reserve a spot at the Rose Bowl Parade and not be in it. Their stuff would be moved in a heartbeat.

As to enforcement, it shouldn't be that difficult. There are always volunteers and Community Watch personnel at these events. They take care of parking, preventing traffic from going through, etc. I can't imagine it would take more than an hourly walk around the Square and removing all items on unoccupied tables and having a lost and found area for them. They could explain to anyone sitting at a table that they can save their seat but not seats for others arriving later -- if the people aren't there, they have no seats. And if someone says their friends are in the bathroom or getting food, it isn't that hard to come back 15-30 minutes later and say, "Sorry, but your friend still isn't here; you'll have to release that seat."

How about if you take a table, there is a container on it where you have to deposit $1.00 for every seat you and your friends are going to use or someone who collects the money and gives you a sticker to put on the chair(s)? This money would then be donated to whatever charity takes center stage that month.

The biggest problem would be those who save the tables. I can hear the screams and wails right now. For some it really is a RIGHT to save seats, spots. The fact that it is not right or fair to others is totally irrelevant.