BROKEN BOW – A regular board meeting and the annual board meeting took place for the Custer County Ag Society on Thursday night on the Custer County Fairgrounds in front of a large group of community members.
Board members appointed
In annual board meeting business, Desirei Cook was appointed to complete the term she was appointed to in order to fill a vacant position. Her term will run through 2026.
Three new board members were elected for the term of 2025 through 2027, filling the seats of Marla Stallbaumer, Charmayne Popp, and Shane Ryan. Three rounds of nominating and voting took place involving everyone in the room. Clint Lambrecht, Brian Palmer, and Mark Cardoza were each elected.
Lambrecht told those in attendance that he and his wife both come from an ag background and that he was in 4-H in Hall County where he grew up.
“I’m looking to serve, learn a lot, have an open mind, and just collaborate with others on the board,” said Lambrecht.
Listen to Clint Lambrecht’s full introduction speech here:
Brian Palmer moved to Broken Bow from Columbus a few years ago to manage the Broken Bow Runza location, which he is also now a minority owner of. He told those in attendance that he has always been a very civic-minded person, and that for the last three years he has told a lot of people ‘no’ while getting settled and acquainted with central Nebraska. He said his biggest addition to the board would be his ag society specific experience.
“For the ten years prior to me moving here, I was the general manager and saw all of the day-to-day activities for the Platte County Ag Society in Columbus,” Palmer said.
Listen to Brian Palmer’s full introduction speech here:
Mark Cardoza moved to Nebraska near family from California where he was born and raised. During his time in California, Cardoza explained a background in ranching and a 25 year career in law enforcement that he has retired from. He and his wife live south of Broken Bow.
“I’ve got time during the day to work on stuff when need be. I’m not tied to any work schedule or anything like that. I think Kelly would like me gone most of the time anyway,” Cardoza joked.
Listen to Mark Cardoza’s full introduction speech here:
Board President Casey Cooksley gives inspiring President’s Report
Ahead of the election of board members, Board President Casey Cooksley gave the President’s report, which received a strong round of applause at its conclusion. In his speech, Cooksley thanked the outgoing Ag Society members while welcoming the incoming members.
Cooksley specifically thanked Dwain and Deb Bryner, citing them as a huge help to himself and the board during projects. He also thanked Dwain for his service on the county supervisors board.
“It means a lot to me to come from generations of good stock that serve their community and specifically this facility. My fellow board members and the many other volunteers I have not named that continue to show up without being asked on their own good will, it is very much appreciated,” Cooksley continued.
Citing several returning events and the addition of some new events, Cooksley expressed great pride in what the fairgrounds were able to accomplish with a small staff.
“We hosted another successful Custer County Fair, the main reason we are all here, with one of the best livestock auctions to date,” Cooksley said, “and as we head into 2025, the number of youth involved in our livestock shows continues to flourish and that’s what makes this all worth it.”
Cooksley joked that he told himself that he wouldn’t turn the speech into a presidential address, as everyone had heard plenty of politics already recently as he closed his report.
“I was told by my grandmother Mary Bell several times, ‘Public service is the debt we pay for our time on earth.’ Those words ring true still to this day, and I’m proud to come from a long line of public servants. When I look around these days, I see more and more complainers, I see more people offering criticism than a helping hand. I do not think that many people understand the time, financial, and mental sacrifice it takes to serve not only on this board but on any volunteer board. The time away from family, especially being a new father, has really put things into perspective for me and I would like someday for my daughter to look at this place and feel with a sense of pride all the hours that were spent here to ensure a future for her generation. That’s the feeling that I get when I look around this place, everything that was built by my granddad and my dad and everybody from their generation. That’s why I’d like to think we’re all here, is the goal is to see a place with so much history thrive,” Cooksley continued, “I as well as my fellow members do not come up here and clean hundreds of horse stalls because we enjoy it, but we know that it needs to be done.”
“If you volunteer for public service on this board or any board, be invested. Show up, do what you say you’ll do. Your support goes way further than you’ll realize,” said Cooksley, “Your legacy is more than how you work an arena, it’s that your presence is missed when you are gone. Thank you again to everyone that offers a lending hand, financial support, and words of encouragement. It has been greatly appreciated.”
Listen to Casey Cooksley’s full President’s report here:
With all annual board meeting business accomplished, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Regular board meeting business
At the beginning of the evening, the regular board meeting began with a discussion about just under 30 fair checks not yet being cashed. The board encouraged getting the help of 4-H Aide Colleen Peterson in trying to contact those issued the checks before doing stop payments or re-issuing.
In the office assistant report, it was said that one more equestrian event is on the calendar at the fairgrounds this year, and winter storage is being organized. Discussion began on the need for a new computer, as the digital board by the railroad tracks can’t be updated due to computer issues. No decision was made.
Winter ball flyers were reported as complete, and the board put into motion the desire to think of candidates for the “Friend of the Fair” distinction. The gathering of auction items has begun, and the board expressed a desire to have a gun raffle again at this year’s ball.
In new business discussions, an audit will take place next Tuesday (November 19). Cooksley stated that he would like to start the process of getting a bid for a security camera system with four cameras to keep an eye on various areas on the grounds. The board was invited to attend the fair managers convention in Kearney from January 24 through January 26.
In other concerns, Steve Horn reported that he attended the banquet for the Outlaw Pullers organization, where the Custer County Fairgrounds received a plaque for being named the Eastern Division Pull of the Year.
New arena use fees beginning in 2025 will be $500/year for new members and $450/year for returning members. Day use will be at a rate of $20 per horse per day.
Thursday’s regular meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 12.
