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left out for many years from the annual Fair because of the lack <br />of room for their projects. He said he’s never seen a decrease <br />in the amount of people going to the Fair but rather attendance <br />has only increased each year. JODI SCHEYNER, FAIR BOARD MEMBER <br />supported the purchase of the property. She said she is the <br />Director of the Horse 4-H and that kids have not been allowed to <br />participate in the annual Fair for more than 40 years due to the <br />lack of room. She expressed support of the North end expansion, <br />new arenas, and new barns. JESSIE BLACKWOOD, FAIR BOARD MEMBER <br />commented on the lack of space at the Fairgrounds and how <br />expansion has been talked about for many years. She supported <br />the purchase of property. CL CLARK, FAIR BOARD MEMBER expressed <br />her support of purchasing the property, especially for the youth <br />of Kittitas County. JEFF FALTUS, PRESIDENT OF THE ELLENSBURG <br />RODEO spoke in favor of the Kittitas County Long Range Plan. <br />Personally, he felt the Barton’s should be allowed to sell their <br />property to Kittitas County. He was in favor of the purchase and <br />assisting the residents. BILL BOYUM explained how there had been <br />2 comprehensive plans done on the Fairgrounds. He supported the <br />plans when they were made and that once a plan has been put in <br />place, the County should carry it out. LARRY LOWTHER felt the <br />proposed plan could be modified when additional information has <br />been obtained. He said he didn’t recall receiving information <br />about the Shady Acres purchase. He thought it was a functioning <br />neighborhood with a sense of community and should be considered <br />by the Commissioners. HOPE AMASON spoke in opposition of the <br />purchase. She thought it was unethical that the County would <br />destroy a vibrant neighborhood. She expressed concerned about <br />residents and their stress. RIVER MELOS objected to County tax <br />dollars being used to put people out of their houses and would <br />be voting accordingly. CAROL MILLER-RHODES said the closure of <br />the mobile home park would dislocate people from their homes. <br />She questioned if that was in the plan and asked if an RV park <br />was more important than the residents including elderly, <br />children, and the disabled. She indicated mobile homes were a <br />part of affordable housing in Kittitas County, and thought the <br />County Commissioners have disregarded the Homeless & Affordable <br />Housing Committee’s recommendations. NAN DOOLITTLE opposed the <br />purchase of the mobile home park. She said she was concerned the <br />Barton’s may have been misguided. She thought if the Housing <br />Authority purchased the property, the Barton’s could save money <br />by not having to pay sales tax, and they would also not be using <br />tax payer’s money to purchase the property. CARL NELSON felt the <br />issue should not be framed as Shady Acres versus Fairgrounds as <br />it is unfair. He didn’t feel the Fairgrounds were at risk and <br />there is a 20 million dollar budget, which is well funded. He <br />felt the County should reconsider purchasing the property,