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Dear Commissioners,
My home is on Jackman Street, directly across from the County Fairgrounds. I want to draw attention to how the Tonka Toyz 4x4 club’s inappropriate use of the fairgrounds negatively impacts
the surrounding community, and to the harm such inappropriate uses pose to county land, air quality, water resources, native plant and wildlife habitats, cultural assets and natural
systems.
I also want to register my alarm over the Jefferson County Fair Association’s apparent disregard for applicable county codes and state law in scheduling such events at the fairgrounds.
I first approached the (then) fairgrounds manager in October to report my concerns about unhealthy high noise and dust levels during the club’s Saturday-Sunday Oktoberfest event. Our
household was kept awake, and my husband suffered from a migraine headache, on Friday, October 14 as the club, camped out in the “pit,” partied and generated loud, crushing noise with
the operation of their off-road vehicles past midnight. The manager said another neighbor had confirmed my account, that the club did not have permission for Friday night activities,
and that he would impose new conditions, including on-site security, to prevent unauthorized activities, including alcohol use, at future club events.
Now the fairgrounds manager is no longer employed, and I’ve repeatedly presented larger concerns in emails to the fairground association board: What criteria do they consider, what fee
structure is applied, what process do they follow in granting permission for fairground events and uses? Do they consider impacts on the human beings living in proximity? How do they
assess hazards and protect public safety? Do they weigh the environmental impacts on the land, plants and wildlife, and affected natural systems? I’ve also asked to see copies of any
contracts or agreements with the Tonka Toyz club.
I’ve received polite replies that say the board takes these concerns seriously. But I’ve not received substantive answers to any of these questions. Thanks to the work of the Center
for Sustainable Economy, I understand that the fair association apparently violated state law and county code in granting permission and failing to monitor these events. As a result,
we’re left with angry neighbors, deeply scarred land, and damaged ecosystems that render acres of public property inhospitable to native plants and wildlife or to any more beneficial
human use.
I wholeheartedly endorse CSE’s vision for use of our public resources to build community resilience, and I ask the commission to intervene to address current fairground association dysfunction.
Thank you for your consideration,
Jamie Elsbury