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Fair folks, commissioners only care about themselves

| January 19, 2021 1:00 AM

The recent letter from Heather Thomas concerning the Christmas Fair is another example of something I experienced a number of years ago.  

I used to like making homemade dill pickles and would enter them in the county fair. I won several years. It wasn't the few bucks or the little ribbon, it was just being part of something I could do well and be recognized.

The last time I entered, eight or nine years ago, I won first and second premium. On the Sunday evening, we were to pick up our entries, ribbons and the modest prize money, I wasn't feeling well. The next day I was all right, and on my lunch period went to get the entry and prize. Upon arriving, instead of any understanding, I was confronted by a woman who made me feel like a kid who had done something wrong in school and deserved a lecture. I got my entry back and the ribbons, but as for the modest $5, well, it seemed I was out of luck. I was told the bookkeeper had closed the books and I wouldn't get it. Properly chastised I meekly left and have never participated since and never will again.  

The question arises, why couldn't the bookkeeper just issue the check which I could be given when I did pick it up with a reasonable reason why I couldn't be there the previous evening?  

It wasn't the $5, it was the principle of treating people right.

It doesn't keep them from charging a $3 (last I heard), per car entry fee. It is an entry fee not a parking fee. People have parked in the Latter-day Saints' parking lot, walked across Boyer and were still charged the fee that as I understand, was originally to replace the roof, long since taken care of.

What I would suggest to the Christmas Fair participants is that they organize their own event(s) at another location in the in the future. They and the county commissioners only care about themselves as demonstrated by their actions in other areas this past year.

LAWRENCE FURY

Sandpoint