10/18/2009; A12
Help County Retain A Treasured Part Of Its History
Kristina Dodge
Daily Pilot

 

For 60 years the Orange County Fair has operated on the 150-acre parcel that is home to some of the county’s most treasured traditions.

More than 1.1 million people enjoyed five weeks of the fair this summer. The balance of the year our permanent partners at the Orange County Marketplace, Centennial Farms, Pacific Amphitheater, equestrian center and weekend shows keep the property buzzing with activity.

The fairgrounds hosts hundreds of events. The countywide school Science Fair, Pet Expo, Motor Cross, paintball, charity events, car shows, gun shows and tattoo shows — you name it, and chances are it’s at the fairgrounds.

We want to preserve the fair operations, employees, and diverse agriculture and entertainment mix that make the fairgrounds the heartbeat of Orange County.

Since the 1990s the state has attempted to sell the fairgrounds and other state-owned properties, as a way to offset chronic budget deficits. During a similar budget crunch in 1996, Costa Mesa Mayor Joe Erickson, California Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and fair officials contemplated the privatization of the property to a nonprofit corporation or a joint city/fair board operation. The plan never materialized, but the idea remains compelling.

Earlier this month six members of the existing Orange County Fair Board formed a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of bidding for the fairgrounds. We have asked Costa Mesa and Orange County to appoint two residents each. The original 10 members of the Orange County Fair & Exhibit Center Foundation will appoint a public member to complete an 11-member board of directors. An additional 29 members will be named to the corporation that will ultimately run the property as a community asset, respecting Costa Mesa’s zoning, and the historical and current uses of the facility. We are a guest in Costa Mesa’s house, and we will always respect and comply with their policies.

This nonprofit structure has worked well for more than 70 years at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona. The Los Angeles County Fair is one of the most successful community based fairs in the nation, drawing more than 1.3 million last year.

We will continue to work with Costa Mesa and the county’s leaders to craft an offer that the state cannot refuse.

If our foundation is the successful buyer, we will continue to run the fair, marketplace, centennial farms, after-school programs and the myriad of events the community enjoys. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws require this and the community expects it. We are not interested in acquiring the property for development.

Our bid will be the community’s bid. With your support we can bring local control to the fairgrounds. No more Sacramento threats of selling to a developer.

Soon the foundation will launch ocfairfoundation.org to update the community on our progress. You can voice your opinion, send the governor a letter, and if you desire make a donation to help save the fair.

We are your partners in protecting the fair.

10/18/2009; A12
Kristina Dodge
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