The Williamson County Fair is an event
that many of us have treasured since childhood, and our children and
grandchildren now enjoy this fun time with family and friends. We must never
take it for granted that the fair will always be there simply because it
always has been in the past.
We need to get the message out that the
Williamson County Fair Board needs the support of the voters and taxpayers
in Williamson County to pass the upcoming February 5th referendum which would
allow the fair board to receive 0.03% of assessed taxable property value
in the county.
If passed, the funding would not be assessed
until 2009. The funds will go into an established account to be overseen
by the Williamson County Commissioners, and the Fair Board would have to
apply for needed funds through the commissioners. Presently the major portion
of funding for the maintenance of the fairgrounds comes from the proceeds
from the production of the annual county fair.
It is getting harder to actually make
the fair a "break even" situation. Money determined as "profit" goes toward
the yearly maintenance of the fairgrounds, and to make payments on a loan
that repaired the grandstand, but now has to be extended to allow for repair
of the grandstand roof. Virtually every structure on the grounds is in need
of repair or replacement. The electrical supply lines are insufficient and
need to be upgraded to handle the many vendors who come to the fair. Water
lines are in need of repair.
Do any of us want to imagine Williamson
County without a fair and therefore, no fairgrounds? Our area has already
lost the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Benton and it is now an empty field.
Appearing on the ballot this year will
be a tax proposal to support the Williamson County Fair. This fair has been
in operation for over 150 years, and now the future of it may now depend
entirely on the voters. Please vote in support of the fair in this upcoming
February 5th referendum and protect the livelihood of one of our county’s
most cherished traditions! |
