By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

The Crawford County Fair Board had an agreement in place for a reduction in water rates as compensation for portion of the south parking lot of the fair grounds being used for the City of Bucyrus’ water detention pond.  With the city still charging the same rates, the Fair Board took action Wednesday night.

The Crawford County Fair Board approved to hold the agreed to 33-percent reduction on the current and future water bills in an escrow account. Fair Board Secretary Rebecca Starner reported that she had been in contact with the mayor, and he had said that the reductions would happen upon completion of the project which is expected to be in 180 days.

Board member Jamie Sherk added that when he called Tom Laughbaum on the matter he had also spoke with Doug Weisenauer who said that the reductions should have been enacted as soon as the land was assumed by the city and shovels were in the ground digging the retention pond. Sherk also took issue with another portion of the detention pond construction.

“They are tearing up our asphalt drive and replacing it with a stone one,” Sherk said.

During his report to the Fair Board, Treasurer Tom Laughbaum reported that they had received the grant money electronically at United Bank for the amount of $34,803. Laughbaum also noted that liability insurance went up $1,162.

The Fair Board thanked Bob White for the donation of a backhoe for the fair grounds new tractor.

The Fair Board received three different quotes for painting the Youth Building. Student Painters gave a quote of $3,722 plus an additional $385 for gutters and spouts of the building; R&L Painting gave a quote at $5,400; and Jim Nye quoted the job at $5,000. A representative for Student Painting was on hand and noted that the cost is cheaper for them as they hire students in high school and college as workers for the company. The representative also noted that three things go into the cost: paint quality, hours, and labor. The representative assured the cost wouldn’t be any higher than the estimate.

Student Painters also gave a quote for Horse Barn 37 for $9,011. The representative noted that the cost for that building was higher due to the possibility of the old paint being lead paint, which would add one to two days extra prep time and use EPA precautions when removing the old paint.

The Fair Board will decide which company to use next meeting.

The Junior Fair Board had its request of a dance on the Wednesday of the Fair approved. The dance will take place from 9 to 11 p.m. on the road in between the poultry barn and the park.

Jeff Schieffer reported that the Livestock Committee had revisited the final bid rules for the sale. Schieffer noted that the sale will be final when the gavel drops and add-on bids would not be added to the final price along with the add-on bid names being omitted.

Schieffer added that the Livestock Committee has developed new sales brochures for potential buyers at the sale. Schieffer noted that it hadn’t been finalized, but it is an upgrade from the older brochure. Schieffer added that bios for longtime buyers could be added along with a short one for newer ones. Schieffer also proposed adding two one-day passes for the fair with the brochure as well.

Schieffer also requested that the fair board allow family to withdraw hogs shown at terminal shows from sale so they wouldn’t have to buy the animal back and could have it slaughtered themselves. Schieffer noted that the family would have 30 minutes after the show to fill out paperwork for it.

The Fair Board noted that they would have to check with the Ohio Department of Agriculture for the legality of that practice.

In old business Starner noted that the Pioneer students had come to the fair grounds and did some work around the property including trimming trees, planting bushes, adding mulch as well as a few other odds and ends.