Commissioners approve Fair Plan; overnight camping being debated

POMEROY––The Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) approved the Garfield County Health District accepted plan for this year's "restructured" Garfield County Fair events, as submitted by the Fair Board with one exception: RV camping.

The Fair Board and Health District recommended the RV park remain closed for Fair weekend. The BOCC contended the area should be available families participating in the livestock show and sale as a space to retreat between shows because congregating in public areas is prohibited. The Commissioners were uncertain if to include overnight camping during the Fair weekend.

Commissioner Bob Johnson suggested RVs should have assigned spaces to create distancing. He does not consider overnight occupancy necessary because exhibitors are local and can return home, and he does not hold the community responsible to continue practicing distancing and wearing masks because he has observed the lack of it in the community.

Commissioner Wynne McCabe considers overnight camping could encourage outside visitors which could lead to shopping in town.

Sara Lunsford, Fair Board President, indicated it would be impossible to monitor extracurricular evening activities and it would be too much responsibility on gate screeners and ticket takers to manage. There are fewer volunteers for the gate than usual because of the restrictions.

Commissioner Justin Dixon said since the RV park will only allow those participating in the livestock show and sale, not as many campers will populate the area. He believes the community and RV Park occupants will respect the rules set out by the Fair Board, BOCC and Health District, and follow all restrictions for social distancing and other COVID protocols. They will also request non-participants to stay out of the RV park, but enforcement is the responsibility of the Sheriff's Office.

The BOCC are working out a separate camper plan which will be presented at the August 31 meeting.

An agreement was drawn up between the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) and the BOCC for the distribution of CARES Act funding to local small businesses. The BOCC has agreed to allocate $30,000 of the County's CARES Act funds to qualified applicants, which will be added to funds already received by SEWEDA for the same purpose.

Sheriff Drew Hyer reported that the Corps of Engineers has agreed to close the "Dunes" recreation area on the Snake River to the public for three weeks, through the Labor Day weekend. He also stated there has been a recent cougar siting over the August 22 weekend and remains at large.

Dixon stated he received some complaints from county residents about substantial potholes that had caused damage to harvest equipment and vehicles. He requested that the BOCC discuss the issue with the County Roads Department as soon as possible.

The BOCC approved and signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Nez Perce County for Juvenile Justice services, at the rate of $175 per day. The rate is the same as last year's agreement. The MOA will now go to the Nez Perce County Commissioners for approval.