[Lisa Rodriguez]

I can understand the food reason (but can it be LESS expensive, last year was CRAZY) but everyone should be able to bring water, it's something you need.
As for the noisemakers, i believe you should still be able to have them, just not excessive use.... i mean how can you live without the MOEsticks???? But like others have said before, FIRST is trying to make this viewer-friendly, and how overwhelming was all this when you were a freshman (or younger?) These competitions are pretty crazy to the outsiders, so i think they're leading them in gently.
As for the speaker enhanced carts, i understand (DARN, we were gonna make one) because they block out pit announcements, and people NEED to hear those announcements, plus FIRST has a dj that they probably pay to play music at these compeitions, so they want to get their money's worth. If you really want to hear a song, go request it!
I don't really see the candy thing, but hey, i guess you could consider it food.
Banners could scare spectators away from certain areas, thinking they are that team only, when really, it's just a space for your banner. Banners in the pit (to me) can get REALLY annoying, because i think of the pit as like a pit...more of a work station than advertising, although it is used for that.
Machine shop...how can you NOT have it on site??? Our machiner used to just sneak into the shop and use the machine....then again that was like 2 years ago, and early in the morning.
Saving seats......ok
I believe in the idea of a team area other than the pit for all your team "stuff" (coats, buttons,meeting kids, keeping the majority of your team out of the pit(kids that aren't supposed to be there), etc) but too many teams save TOO MANY seats, when they don't use them. A team can still sit together, you just can't save the front center section at 830 thursday morning and have it until saturday night, it's just unfair, share the good seats!! As long as teams rotate during matches, it should be ok, as for award ceremonies good luck, just try to get together as a team, and if you save 2 or 3 seats from the people in the bathroom, i dont think anyone will throw a fit.
No fundraising at competitions? What did people do to fundraise? Personally, i think you have better resources than other robotics teans, plus it kills whoever is selling other stuff's buiness.

They're new rules, I dont know how they'll go over, but let's just try them an see, and if anyone has a REAL big problem with them, then they will probably be changed, remember, you learn from mistakes!!