Place Time Limit on Grandstands Fundraising

Dear Editor,

I believe most would agree the discussion of the fate of the Waitsburg Fairgrounds Grandstands has been going on for too many years. Differing views by members of the latest Grandstand Committee regarding public support for the grandstands resulted in the recent Advisory Vote. The results of that vote left little doubt as to the “will of the people” but now even that is being questioned by some.

If the Waitsburg City Council is still not willing to accept and act on the outcome of the advisory vote may I offer one final suggestion: Determine what would be a reasonable time, not to exceed one year, to obtain funding to repair/restore and maintain the grandstands and set a definite non-negotiable deadline for doing so. Either funding is positively confirmed by that date or it isn’t. That means the total amount required to complete the repair/restoration project and ongoing maintenance has been deposited in a dedicated account and available, not merely promised. The amount must be sufficient to make the grandstands absolutely usable and handicap accessible by standards in effect at the time plus maintenance and potential cost overages.

If, by the deadline set, the amount actually in the dedicated account is not sufficient to restore the grandstands to usability and accessibility up to standards/codes in effect at that time plus maintenance and potential cost overages the grandstands should be removed to eliminate any potential liability and put an end to any further discussion.

Maintenance must be included because lack of proper inspection and maintenance in the past resulted in the current state of disrepair.

Jim Davison

Waitsburg