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noting how there is currently a crisis of affordable housing <br />needs. ROB FRASER opposed the purchase of the property. He said <br />the appraisal on the property said its best use of the land is <br />to keep it as low-income housing with new trailers. GUADALUPE <br />HUITRON, FRIENDS OF SHADY ACRES urged the Board to follow the <br />recommendations of the Homeless & Affordable Housing Committee, <br />and the Ellensburg City Council. She explained how there was an <br />affordable housing crisis in the County, and how the survey only <br />had a 4 percent return. She felt people should have reached out <br />to residents of Shady Acres and have it available in Spanish. <br />RODRIGO DE LA ROSA representing the residents of Shady Acres <br />said their families have lived in the community throughout many <br />years enjoying the Fair as well. The residents believe it will <br />be different this year because the Fair will cost them their <br />home in order for it to grow. He questioned who would be paying <br />for the effort of moving as it will be very difficult for <br />families. The purchase will have an effect on every resident and <br />asked the County to reconsider purchasing the property. He asked <br />the County to find a way to help them through the situation and <br />take into consideration the needs of all of their families. SUSI <br />WEISS opposed the purchase of the mobile home park. She <br />expressed concerns over the amount of Upper County homeless <br />people and was appalled the County would be spending 1.4 million <br />dollars on an RV park when homeless is a problem all over the <br />County. She stated the people in Upper County were not in favor <br />of the purchase either. KELLI CONNER spoke in opposition of the <br />purchase and felt the mobile home park was not affordable <br />housing, but rather low-income housing. She thought the County <br />was being irresponsible in purchasing the property. BRETT <br />HOLLAR, FAIR BOARD MEMBER said he was involved in 4-H and spoke <br />of the benefits of the various events held at the Fairgrounds. <br />He indicated the Fairgrounds needs to grow and how the property <br />has been looked at for years, and therefore supported the <br />purchase of the mobile home park. RON McCLELLAN felt if the <br />County purchased the mobile home park it would be taking away <br />the residents dream and explained how they have all struggled to <br />pay off their trailers. He referenced the 2015 housing needs <br />assessment of Kittitas County. STAN BLAZINSKI challenged the <br />Commissioners and questioned where the legal authority was to <br />provide a mass entertainment such as the Fair at the tax payer’s <br />expense. He noted there was no word of Shady Acres mentioned in <br />survey and thought the County was hiding something from their <br />constituents. JARRED FUDAZ, FAIR BOARD MEMBER said he supported <br />the purchase of property and that he grew up as a member of 4-H <br />and has a lot of experience throughout the Fairgrounds. He <br />reviewed the constraints for the 4-H program and how difficult <br />it is to continue to grow if there is not adequate room. LYNN