County Fair concerns

heduled meeting Tuesday, the Washakie County Commission discussed detailed plans for county maintenance crews for the upcoming county fair.

Building and maintenance supervisor Tom Schmeltzer addressed the commission and said his largest concern was cleaning up after the pig wrestling event.

“I think the guy who makes the mess ought to clean it up. I’m talking about the guy who brings the pigs in and makes the mess. He ought to be able to help. That’s my only problem there,” Schmeltzer said.

The pig wrestling event is scheduled for 6 p.m., Monday, July 27. The commissioners agreed to contact the contractor to ask about help with cleanup.

The commission also granted permission for county employees to a county water truck in the mornings to water the fairgrounds arena. Also authorized for use by fairgrounds employees was equipment to help clear bentonite from the arena after pig wrestling.

“Other than that, I think I can handle it,” Schmeltzer said.

Arena issues

An issue with the Washakie County Fairgrounds came up later in the meeting.

Jennifer Jorgensen put on a barrel racing event at the fairgrounds earlier this year. Jorgenson told the commission via phone that the facility isn’t equestrian-friendly.

“To make it more successful for the fairgrounds — if the fairgrounds would put for more effort, it’s a business opportunity for the county,” Jorgenson said.

Jorgensen said during the event, she had to clean out several horse stalls. She said she advised Schmeltzer beforehand.

Anderson defended Schmeltzer.

“What we’re looking at … we want to see the facility used, but we don’t want a net loss with time and cleanup for the county,” Anderson said.

Jorgensen said if the facility were better utilized, it would actually be good business for the county.

All three commissioners agreed that the facility could be better utilized, but Jorgensen and others should come to the commission with a formal proposal.

“Our maintenance supervisor’s job is bigger than cleaning stalls at the fairgrounds. We have $39 million worth of buildings that we are responsible for. This might not be our biggest priority right now. If you have a proposal, I’d like to see you here in the commission chambers,” Anderson said.

During the conversation, Jorgensen advised Schmeltzer and the commission that she charged an unspecified amount of money to rent horse stalls during the event.

Schmeltzer replied, “The county will look forward to seeing that money, then”

Jorgensen replied, “I just want to bring more to the community. There are other people who do too.”

Anderson said he wasn’t opposed to visiting the fairgrounds and looking at Jorgensen’s needs with her.

“It’s not going to work talking over the phone this way. We need to sit down and iron it out ahead of time and then, afterward, talk about the event and see what the issues are for you and certainly what the issues are for maintenance personnel.”

After the conversation ended, the commission agreed to seek out the undetermined amount of funds the barrel racing event received, but did not take action.