Big Shakeup At Fair Board

DAYTON - A recent shakeup in volunteers and personnel at the Columbia County Fair has generated a fair board with new members, a big fundraising challenge and without a fair manager.

Former fair manager Shane Laib's contract expired in November for lack of a decision to renew it by a board reeling from resignations last fall, according to a county commissioner.

Laib had served as the manager for two years and reportedly failed to turn over key documents necessary to run the organization, according to a former fair board member.

The Times attempted to reach Laib, who serves as a member of the Walla Walla City Council, by cell phone but did not get a response from him before this edition went to press.

After numerous changes at the fair board this fall, a revamped group is trying to rebuild the organization for this year's annual event.

Four members, including treasurer Barbara Fullerton, recently resigned. Their positions have been filled by "new blood" intent on bringing a better Columbia County Fair to Dayton this summer.

"We're trying to pick up the pieces," said Charlie Barron, the new president of the board.

Barron, who lives in Waitsburg, is a life-long Touchet Valley resident and was asked to step in and fill one of the recent vacancies on the board.

The fair board will hold a meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the youth building at the fairgrounds to regroup, talk about fundraisers and plan the theme for this year.

Barron said the new group is working hard to rebuild the fair in the wake of Laib's contract expiration and the loss of four of its nine board members.

Columbia County Commissioner Dwight Robanske said the fair board members who quit last year submitted their resignations for a variety of reasons. Some moved out of the area and some simply resigned, Robanske said.

He said the remaining five board members were uncomfortable moving forward on many fronts and agreed to put off a number of decisions, including Laib's contract, which simply ran out without renewal.

"We did not renew it," Robanske said. "We were going to let the new board decide."

Barron said he is happy the fair has new oversight and leadership. He said he appreciates the support of the community as the group works on the coming fair.

"We're working to make this better," Barron said.

The group hopes to revitalize the fair. Barron said he wants more activities for families, more entertainment and more fun.

At this point, it does not appear the board will be hiring a new fair manager in the near future for lack of funding such a position, Barron said. Laib was paid for his work through a percentage of sponsorships and advertising he secured for the event.

"Any money brought in needs to be brought in and stay with the fair," Barron said.

In the county's 2012 budget, approved at the end of December, the fair has been allotted $68,575. Last year, the budget was $68,632.

But, Sharon Richter, the county's auditor, said that amount may be reduced depending on decisions by the state legislature in the coming months.

Robanske said the fair has at least $10,000 if the state cuts all its funding. The county is mandated to put on an annual fair no matter what, Robanske said.

Laib reportedly left his position without turning over key documents, including vendor contracts and records from previous fairs.

Fair Board Member Michelle Shoun said she does not know where any of the fair's files are from the last four years.

"I'm unable to find any fair documents at the fair office," Shoun said.

Another concern raised about Laib's tenure is payout of fair premiums to winners. Robanske said a glitch in the computer system during last year's fair did cause a backlog of payments.

Richter said her office is working with the fair board to help it reorganize.

"We're working to resolve issues that we might have," Richter said.

However, she said she declined to be more specific in discussing what issues the fair board is facing.

Christine Broughton, former secretary for the fair board, said Laib has four years of files and promised to give them to the county auditor, but has not done so. The files include applications, vendor contracts, judges' contracts, treasurer's reports, parade applications and minutes from past meetings. Laib told her he needed the files to pay bills.

"My files have nothing to do with bills, other than that I kept the treasurer's report," Broughton said about the records she once held in her capacity as secretary.

In the absence of the fair's records, the Walla Walla County Fair is helping the Columbia County Fair Board compile the necessary forms and applications to begin organizing next year's fair.

Laib was a volunteer for the Walla Walla County Fair for about four years before coming to Columbia County, said Cory Hewitt, the general manager of the Walla Walla Fairgrounds.

Hewitt said the Walla Walla Fair "chose not to continue that relationship" with Laib after his tenure. He was in charge of hanging banners at the fairgrounds. But, Hewitt would not say why he was no longer wanted as a volunteer.

"We aren't going to talk about it," she said.