Susie Bowles elected VP of Fair Board

POMEROY–The Garfield County Fair Board approved newly elected Susie Bowles as board vice-president.

Fair entry forms and demonstrations were discussed. Larry Ledgerwood advised the group of three different programs available for online entries, “Show Works,” “A Fair Entry,” and “Blue Ribbon”, describing the pros, cons and costs of each one as they apply to our fair and livestock show, especially in regards to 4-H entries.

Katie Magill said her main concern was cost, and that former treasurer Lisbeth Randall felt upgrading the computer was most important. Leta Travis suggested starting with WSU to find out if they provided the current computer as it might be on the county rotation. Commissioner Larry Ledgerwood also said that there will be good internet to the fairgrounds by the time of the fair. He also pointed out if a new computer was purchased, maintenance is included for a period of time.

Board President Sara Lunsford opened discussion on the Fair Board by-laws, which was emailed earlier to board members. On the topic of the attendance policy, a limit of eighteen members was proposed to define voting members from non-voting members. Involvement is considered optimal from those handling specific committees, fair departments and activities, such as superintendents and the Pony Punchers. Clarifying the by-laws was a good starting point to determine these specifics.

Several issues were raised in the the by-laws regarding board officers. Ledgerwood suggested staggering the terms of the president, vice-president and secretary so the board would not have all new officers at any time. Chris Field also suggested that officers only come from members of the board and include a recall option, except for the treasurer position which is held by default. Members agreed that a three-year rotation of officers was a good idea and officers only hold one position at a time. It was also proposed that if an officer is unable to fulfil their term, another board member would be appointed to serve until the next election, when someone would be elected to fill the position until the end of that particular term.

Field thought that giving people proper notice for a special meeting did not need to be seven days as proposed and that three days should be plenty. Ledgerwood believes notice should be at least forty-eight hours, which other members agreed.

Finally, it was suggested that notices for amendments to the by-laws require seven days’ notice prior to action being taken. Lunsford encouraged everyone present to respond to the corrected by-laws so she has a paper trail to take to the commissioners

The open livestock form was discussed. Members agreed that the age of the entrant needs to be listed on the form and young children must have an adult with them if they are under five years of age. Magill said listing the age was definitely beneficial in helping superintendents know where to place kids in classes such as fitting and showing. Lunsford thought than rather than giving an age it would be great if the form could just ask for the date of birth, to which the group concurred.

There is still a need for superintendents in several areas, including Poultry and Rabbits, Open Beef, and Grain departments.

David Ruark reported that a meeting was scheduled with County Health District Administrator Martha Lanman with the Eastern Washington Agricultural Museum, to go over what is needed to comply with current Phase 2 COVID–19 requirements for the upcoming Spring Farming Days in April. Ruark said “outside should not be a problem but inside is still a question.”

In a general discussion, the group contemplated the action taken by Garfield County Commissioner and Spinners Treasure Larry Ledgerwood in regards to the annual Easter Egg Hunt, that Spinners will not be advertising with the local newspaper or on social media to avoid bringing in outsiders to the community.

The Garfield County Fair Board convened both in-person and via teleconference for its regular monthly meeting on March 16, 2021. Eleven members and guests were present in the courtroom of the courthouse, which provided ample space to meet COVID restrictions, while three people chose to attend online.

Jamie Hames read the minutes from February’s meeting, which were approved after amending that matching funds will be provided by the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, and Monica Bartlow gave the treasurer’s report. The fairgrounds worker salary is now paid through the county budget instead of the Fair Association, and that position is being re-evaluated and may be modified somewhat, as maintenance at the fairgrounds is seasonal rather than consistent year-round.

The next meeting will be on April 2, 2021.