The raging controversy over city council's self-awarded "perk" of scores of Elton John concert tickets in Sudbury is now jeopardizing the concert's fate, according to city officials.

The Star has learned that city officials fear the public uproar over the ticket fiasco is causing so much concern for the event promoter, the March 2, 2008 Elton John concert could be cancelled. Furthermore, city management also fears the controversy will damage Sudbury's chances at securing major acts in the future.

Thousands of Elton John fans came away empty-handed earlier this month when tickets available to the public sold out within 45 minutes. The city's website received one million hits during that brief period from would-be ticket buyers. One week later, it was reported that city council had jumped the queue and given itself first crack at more than 100 tickets, which prompted a deluge of public protest and anger. While councillors took an average of eight tickets, the actual numbers ranged from as few as two tickets to a whopping 22 purchased by one councillor, sources said.

The public furore has continued virtually unabated over the last week as several city councillors refuse to disclose how many concert tickets they obtained, while the municipal administration steadfastly refuses to divulge precisely how many tickets were available to the public. All city council members were contacted on February 15,2008 with regard to the latest startling revelation - that the controversy may be jeopardizing the Elton John concert as well as other major events in the future.

In an e-mail message sent to the mayor and councillors, the politicians were asked if they shared the concern that the ticket controversy is jeopardizing the Elton John concert and future events. They also were asked if the disconcerting news might compel them to disclose how many concert tickets they purchased and what they have done with those tickets.

As of press time on February 15,2008, none of the councillors responded to The Star's invitation for comment. There was one response sent from the city, indicating Ward 8 Coun. Ted Callaghan is away and not available for comment.

Earlier this week, The Sudbury Star filed two requests under Ontario's freedom-of-information legislation to attempt to determine how many tickets for the Elton John concert were obtained by individual city council members and how those tickets were used, as well as the precise number of tickets that was available during the 45-minute period the tickets were on sale to the general public.

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