'Cowboy Boots And Country Roots’Is The Theme Of 2010 County Fair

By Linda Kor
   The Navajo County Fair Board has a new theme and three new board members as of Monday. The theme for this year’s fair will be aimed at encouraging participation and recognizing our heritage with “Cowboy Boots and Country Roots: Sow It, Grow It and Show It.”
   In addition, the board heard from five county residents who offered to volunteer their services to fill three vacancies on the board.
   The candidates elected to fill the seats were Terry Nelson of Snowflake and Tauni Newman of Show Low, who will each fill a one-year term; and Trent Larson of Holbrook, who will fill a two-year term. They were elected to fill the vacancies left by the resignations of Tim Kelley, Don Fischer and Allen Mitchell.
   With the issues of the board resolved, the discussion moved on to the 2010 fair. President Mike Mellor expressed his concerns for the state funding and the current uncertainty of how much the fair will receive.
   “Things are tougher and tighter this year, and we need to have guidelines on what each department will plan to spend. We’ll probably get half of the funds we got last year, and I’m thinking that’s wishful thinking,” stated Mellor, referring to a conversation he had with Senator Sylvia Allen regarding the state budget.
   In an effort to keep closer track of what they have in the budget, as well as sponsorships and vendors, the board decided to purchase financial software with more capabilities. After researching the available software, the board approved a purchase of Quickbooks Pro software at a cost of $200.
   “This is something that is desperately needed. I feel real uncomfortable spending all these dollars when the money may not even be there. I don’t know how it was done before,” stated board member Wendell DeCross.
   The method currently used to keep track of the financial information for the fair board is Quicken finance software. It was determined by the board that while Quicken was sufficient for basic accounting measures, it did not provide enough programs for the needs of the fair.
   In another matter, Cherise Merrick, director of the Bread of Life Mission, addressed the board regarding a contract that was not renewed during the Feb. 8 meeting for a building the mission sells food from during the fair.
   The board had determined not to renew the contract due to the condition the building was left in following last year’s fair when the individuals from the mission failed to clean up the inside of the building.
   “I’m not easily shocked, but this was hideous,” stated Merrick, referring to when she saw the condition of the building once she was made aware of the situation.
   “I delegated the responsibility of cleaning the place to someone who had always gone above and beyond what was needed, and I did not think to check on it. I come before you with a black eye and humble pie, and I’m truly sorry,” stated Merrick.
   The mission was allowed to use the building as a method to raise funds by selling food during last year’s fair. During that time, it was reported that the building had closed early on some days and failed to open at all on the final day of the fair.
   Board member Jimmy Crosby suggested to Merrick that the mission sell prepackaged food in order to avoid the necessity of so much clean up. He also felt that due to the transient nature of the mission’s clients, and the uncertainty of who would be operating the food stand at the time needed, that it would be the best solution in order to avoid possible health concerns.
   “It would also keep you from competing with the other food vendors at the fair and reduce the stress level,” related Crosby.
   Merrick stated that the issue hadn’t been the selling of food, so she wasn’t prepared to respond to the suggestion but that she would look into it.
   “What I’m saying is that we want to help out, but we have to operate the fair as well,” explained Crosby.
   Merrick stated that she understood the concern, and would take personal responsibility for the food stand instead of delegating that to someone else if the board would reconsider renewing the contract.
   While the board appeared to have some reservations initially, they also appreciated Merrick’s sincerity in her apology.
   “I’m a firm believer in second chances. It was their first year with this and something always goes wrong the first time; it’s how we learn to do better,” stated board member Redgie Justman.
   The sentiment was echoed by other board members, who approved renewal of the contract with the additional stipulation that periodic inspections be made during the fair by board members.
   In other action March 8, the board:
   * Approved a $150 expenditure toward the fee required for Navajo County Outstanding Teen Hope Serna to compete for the Arizona Outstanding Teen title.
   * Approved the expenditure of $600 for improvements to the small stock arena, and fencing for the junior livestock and overflow parking lots.
   * Approved renewal of the contract with the Holbrook Painted Desert Kiwanis Club to man the main gates for the duration of the fair at a rate of 20 percent of the admission fees collected at the gates.
   * Approved the president of the fair board as the agent for the liquor license.
   * Approved an expenditure of $1,500 to White Mountain Publishers for publication of the fair books.
   * Approved a facility use request by Anita Mills to use the arena March 12 and 13.