With the recent out cry from concerned citizens over the failure of the taxpayer funded fair board to take appropriate action in extending a much-needed hand to a community in need, regarding the exorbitant charge to the local Kiwanis to use the pavilion to fill Christmas baskets for the local needy. Has brought severe and un -warranted criticism and accusations from County Commissioner Rita Bernhard. Bernhard claims that there is a small sect of people who are politically motivated to destroy the fair. I strongly disagree with Bernhard and her fabricated statements that she made to the local fish wrapper the Scappoose Spotlight. Bernhard has a tendency to lash out at citizens who question government spending, issues and public participation.
I happen to be the individual at the last Fair Board meeting in Dec. 07 that presented a few questions to the board. I was met with churlish and flippant remarks from two of the board members Rhonda Courtney fair administrator, and ex administrator and current board member Evenly Hudson.
The simple question that I ask was, I ask for an approximate cost to heat the pavilion for one day, (remember we were discussing the Kiwanis use of the pavilion in Dec.) I was answered by Ms. Courtney with a smirk, and aloof laugh, well it depends on whether it is 30 degrees or 60 degrees. To be honest with my readers her attitude was not met with humor, I plainly told her not to get smart with me, where as the Fair Board chair Mr. Thompson chided in, and directed to your truly, to calm down, believe me I was calm, like the calm before a storm! I realized that this woman could care less about the needy in this county. (I did some simple math, I took two worse days of 2007 and used those figures in heating the pavilion, and the cost was about $60.00 per day on the high average). A huge difference between the actual cost of $60.00 and the cost charged of $850.00 that they were implementing on the Kiwanis for 4 days. Something that the fair administrator should know after all, that's what she gets paid a total package of about $72,000.00 to know. Heck I figured it out for free.
My next comment to the board was, some of the people who were receiving food baskets, and other people that could use food baskets, would not, because the Kiwanis would have to take the money that would buy food and use it for the fairs usage fee, were some of the very same people who skimped and saved to pay their taxes which in turn supports the fair with their tax dollars. The snobbish and uncalled for remark that I received from Evelyn Hudson plainly showed her true colors; she said we only get $1.00 from their taxes!
Her remark hit a soar spot with me, I frankly replied back, that I did not care if it was one dollar or ten thousand dollars from a person's tax they are still paying for this damn fair grounds! You people just don't get it, or better yet, you don't want to get it! I shook my head and sat down.
This issue carried on over to the county commissioners meeting, where several individuals went before the board and expressed their dissatisfaction with the actions of the fair board. I too attended the meeting and read the ORS's that explicitly states the power that the commissioners have over the fair board, I explained to the commissioners that they could over see or take charge and straightened out this fair board. Adding not only because it is Christmas, but many, many people in this county have had their share of terrible misfortunes, flooding and mudslides, and making it even harder for them because it happened so close to Christmas. People losing everything they owned. And as a community, it's our responsibility as neighbors and as the governing body including the fair grounds to reach out to the community in its time of need.
The fair has no problem sticking their hand out for public money but can easily say no to non-profit organization that want to use the Pavillion as a place to bring Christmas to needy people. Commissioner Bernhard supports the fair board and their decision on charging all non-profits the full amount of rent fees to use the pavilion.
The remarks made by Commissioner Bernhard are nothing more than foolish drivel.
I want to thank all the good and kind people of Columbia County and from outside the county who helped, worked hard, and donated, to all the flood/ mudslide victims. Your kindness and generosity is appreciated beyond words. And I commend our elected officials for a job well done.