State May Cut Funding For County Fairgrounds

By Linda Kor
   With the announcement of a $2.1 billion state deficit by Governor Janet Napolitano in January, cut-backs in funding are being felt statewide and the Navajo County Fairgrounds may feel them as well.
   According to Fair Board President Rusty DeSpain, the 2009 funding may not be available when it’s expected in September.
   “There is a chance the funds will be there when the time comes, but there’s a good chance they won’t,” DeSpain stated.
   The 2009 state funding should be received in September and would be used to pay expenses for the 2008 Navajo County Fair. Although this could present a problem, DeSpain said that the fair will go on as planned.
   “We may need to come up with $20,000 if we’re cut, but regardless of whether or not we receive these funds, this year is a go,” he said, adding that this year will not be so critical, but after the completion of the fair in September, the budget will have to be reviewed.
   “We could cut back on some things without this funding and get by, but smaller county fairs, like the one in Apache County, could get killed by this,” noted DeSpain.
   “I’m disappointed in the Arizona Fairs Association for not being on top of this and not lobbying in our interests,” DeSpain stated. “I would like to draw up a letter and forward it to the Senate regarding this issue and let them know our concerns.”
   The question of whether the funds are going to be cut will be discussed at an advisory council meeting in mid-June, which will be attended by Laura Brooks, secretary and accountant at the Navajo County Fair-grounds.

Lady Wildcats

Photo by Kelly McLaughlin The Joseph City Lady Wildcats celebrate their sixth Class 1A state...

By Greg Perkins The Roadrunners picked up two easy wins and challenged the tough Show Low...

Eighteen high school teams will compete in the 37th annual Joseph City Invitational Wrestling...

By Greg Perkins Playing at the Winslow Winter Classic just prior to the Christmas break, the...

HYBL Registration Due By Thursday

The Holbrook Youth Basketball League will continue to accept player registrations until Thursday,...

By Greg Perkins The Winslow Bulldogs posted 197.5 points to win the 2007 Pat Kenny Invitational...

Clark Elected Sheriff, And Holliday Returns To Bench

By Francie Payne Though the results of the general election remain unofficial until they are canvassed by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors Nov. 24, the unofficial totals show K.C. Clark, a...

Guitar Performance Slated

“An evening of Guitar” featuring Dr. Nathan Fischer of the University of Las Vegas and local guitarists will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center...

By Linda Kor The Navajo County Fair Board approved a new committee Nov. 12 that will organize and promote the county’s 4-H Horse Achievement Program.

By Naomi Hatch “Pay to Eat” is the policy proposed at the Nov. 13 meeting of the Snowflake School District Governing Board. After thorough discussion, the policy was approved by the board.

Early Release OK’d For SHS, SJHS

By Naomi Hatch In previous years, Snowflake High School and Snowflake Junior High School operated on a block schedule, which gave teachers a common planning period.

By Naomi Hatch The annual audit of the Snowflake School District was recently completed by Heinfeld, Meech & Co., P.C., of Phoenix.

By Naomi Hatch For many years, Larson Waste had the sanitation contract with the Snowflake School District.

By Francie Payne District 5 State Senator Sylvia Allen (R) of Snowflake has been elected to continue in the post following her appointment this summer to fill the vacancy created by the passing...

By Naomi Hatch The auditing firm Hinton, Burdick, Hall & Spilker conducted an audit of the Town of Taylor’s financial statements prepared for fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

By Naomi Hatch At a previous Taylor Town Council meeting, Councilman Brian Birtcher expressed safety concerns regarding the bus stop on Lovelake Road and the LDS chapel, with children being...