Fairgrounds

One of the ongoing areas of concern and controversy in the County involves the fairgrounds.  The fairgrounds are a valuable public resource that I believe is currently underutilized.

The County Fair is an essential part of the fairgrounds’ operations, but it is only one of many potential uses for the area and its facilities.

 

Tom Black and Sheila Day
are members of the
Washington County Fair Boosters

Fairground facilities should be made more widely available to the public, and allowed uses should be greatly expanded.  I envision the fairgrounds being used for family reunions, livestock shows, training sessions, 4H and FFA meetings, and other activities that build community, provide education, or otherwise benefit the public.  Our fair should showcase the things that make our County unique: agriculture, high tech, nurseries, wineries, renewable energy.

The fair and facilities must be fully funded from the hotel and motel tax, which is dedicated for that purpose.  Budgeting should be more open and transparent.  Staff expenses should be reviewed with an eye toward directing as much of the allocated funds as possible toward activities and events.  Fair staff should be under the direction of the Fair Board rather than the County.

The Fair’s overall direction is currently determined largely by county administration and staff.  According to Oregon Statute this should be the primary responsibility of the Fair Board.  The Fair Board membership should reflect user groups, fair advocates and activists, and other stakeholders.  The Fair Board then must work together to identify potential uses for the fairgrounds, and should be charged with the task of considering and reconciling conflicting goals and values that drive the use of the fairgrounds.  The recently-adopted Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be revised to provide for user-group recommendations for Fair Board appointments, retain the lodging revenue as part of the fair budget, and make the Fair Manager answerable to the Fair Board.

With your vote and your help, we can make these changes and others – changes that can result in a more accessible and vibrant County Fairgrounds – one that we can all be proud of.