Fair board applicants highlight facilities maintenance, strategic plan and community outreach

Al Sharpsky, Fairgrounds manager, introduced interviews for six applicants competing for four seats on the Clatsop County Fair Board. Candidates described experience and priorities for the fairgrounds, emphasizing strategic‑plan updates, facilities maintenance, fundraising and community outreach.

Applicant John said he is recently retired and has time to commit; he emphasized attending fair setup and full event days, working on a strategic plan and moving forward with a paused conditional‑use permit. John highlighted emergency preparedness because the fairgrounds sit in a tsunami zone and noted his experience responding to a major earthquake in Santa Cruz, California.

Mallory and other applicants stressed increasing sponsorships and outreach countywide; Mallory said sponsorships brought in over $20,000 last year and over $30,000 this year. Joel and others cited posting meeting times publicly and improving transparency; several candidates advocated updating a strategic plan that has not been refreshed in many years. Multiple applicants noted wetlands and conditional‑use restrictions that limit usable land and said they want to revisit permitting to expand usable space for events and storage.

Cindy and other applicants focused on inclusivity and accessibility, urging consideration of parking, building access, and programs for seniors, children and people with disabilities. Several candidates proposed creating a supporting nonprofit or heritage foundation to raise funds for capital repairs and maintenance.

The board closed interviews and said it will return on December 10 to select four appointees. No appointments were made at the meeting.