HomeMy WebLinkAbout060823 FW_ 4x4 events at the fairgrounds
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From: Jamie Elsbury
Sent: Thursday, June 8, 2023 12:27:03 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
To: Kate Dean; Greg Brotherton; Mark McCauley; Heidi Eisenhour; bthomas@cityofpt.us; info@jeffcofairgrounds.com; arranstark@jeffersonhealthcare.org
Subject: 4x4 events at the fairgrounds
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Dear Commissioners and Fairground Association members,
With less than a day's notice, Ben Thomas informed our Fair Vision group that the fair board is poised tonight to consider granting permission to the 4x4 club to put on mud drag/mud
bog events not only at the August fair but in July as well. He states there is "strong interest" in allowing them. He tells us the discussion will be kept short. Presumably, the mud
draggers have had opportunity to present their case, and that case is closed. It's also apparently so important that it must be among the first orders of business for the restructured
board.
Once again, the concerns of the neighboring residents have been blatantly disregarded. I'm not aware of a single person living here who welcomes this tremendously noisy, dirty assault
on our peaceful well-being and environmentally sensitive public land. For many of us, these events necessitate leaving our homes, whatever the inconvenience or expense.
We've heard vague justifications that the mud events bring attendees to the fair. That attributed revenue has never been documented, nor does the reasoning apply to non-fair mud events.
Our group has offered several times to contribute expertise toward obtaining funding from other sources. If the justification for damaging our natural systems and welfare is "entertainment"
or "tradition," we ask you to examine your mission and values. And give us an opportunity to present ours.
Last-minute notification isn't working, and regrettably, my husband and I will be unable to attend tonight. We will also be out of town for my father-in-law's memorial service on June
15. Please register this email as public comment.
We will be keenly interested in reviewing any contracts or permits issued for 4x4 events.
Respectfully,
Jamie Elsbury