A smaller-than-normal group met for the regular meeting of the Custer County Ag Society on Thursday Evening, October 9. Fair Board members Desirei Cook, Rodney Lamb, and Clint Lambrect were not present for the meeting. However, with a quorum of members confirmed, the meeting started promptly at 7:00 PM.
Possible Circus May be Trick or Treat
An unusual item of business, Board President Brian Palmer noted that the Fair Board had not yet received a contract, deposit or really any direct contact at all from the “Halloween Circus” that is advertising it will be at the Custer County Fair Grounds for two shows on Monday, October 13.
Because of this, the Board was unclear as to the nature of the event, or even where on the grounds the circus was planning to set up.
One member of the public attending the evening’s meeting noted that if the circus required stakes to be driven into the ground, for example to support a tent, the Diggers Hotline, 811, needed to be notified to ensure no utilities would be struck at the site. Again, it was unknown if this would be done in time for the Monday event.
Board members were skeptical and concerned that the whole event may be nothing more than an elaborate ruse, designed to scam families into paying for tickets, but never showing up.
The Board decided finally to take no further action unless or until the circus arrived. However, future such events will be required to much more proactively engage with the Fair Board, or will be told clearly that they are not welcome to use the fair grounds.
Elections for Fair Board Seats November 13
At least two seats on the Custer County Ag Society will be up for grabs this coming November 13. Board Members Steve Horn and Casey Cooksley announced that they will not seek re-election to the body. It is still unclear whether Rodney Lamb will run for the Board again.
Requirements to be a member of the Fair Board are straight-forward: be a registered voter of Custer County with an interest in agriculture and fair business, and be ready to be a part of an active, hard-working board.
Board member Mark Cardoza noted that board members worked directly on numerous projects, from overseeing activities at fair time to mucking out stalls following events.
Voting will take place in person at the next Ag Society Meeting, starting at 7:00 PM. Those interested in becoming members should come to the November 13 meeting of the Ag Society to be nominated and possibly elected. Any registered Custer County voter may attend the meeting and cast a vote to elect a Board nominee.
Other Board Action
- Jake Rosentreader noted elections for 4-H council are coming in November as well. In addition, the 4-H will host its Recognition Program on November 16 at the 4-H Building on the Fair Grounds.
- The Committee discussed the upcoming antique tractor pull in November.
- Mark Cardoza provided final numbers for a new mower. The mower replaces and older vehicle that requires full replacement of the engine, and is worth only about $500 as a trade-in toward a new mower.The Board voted to approve purchase of a new Hustler mower at a cost of $13,915, after a discount for non-profit organizations.
- New lights in the grandstands are still under discussion. Rosentreader has been in contact with the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN). MEAN is a not-for-profit organization that provides assistance with large-scale electrical projects, such as envisioned for the grandstand upgrade. Palmer noted as well that it would be important to ensure the project provided the right light, in the right places, while at the same time not wasting money on unnecessary lighting.
With all items on the agenda addressed, the meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. The next meeting of the Custer County, to include elections for open Ag Society Board seats, will be November 13 at 7:35 PM
