This morning I attended the Preble County Commission meeting’s “Public Comments” portion regarding the Capital Improvement Grant applied for and received by former Commissioner David Wesler on behalf of Preble County.  As noted in the March 27, 2014, article of the Register Herald, the grant was to “..upgrade portions of the fairgrounds including electrical systems, roadways, buildings, restroom facilities, and more.”

The issue discussed by Mary Bullen was that the current county Commission has decided not to address the electrical system upgrades and addition of restroom facilities at the Expo with the grant money.  Commissioner Denise Robertson offered support along the line of the original stated intent of the grant. The video will show County Commissioner Creech stating that he has been calling and party to meetings that do not include the whole Fair Board or County Commission Board.  It is my understanding that meetings attended by multiple county commissioners who speak on an issue are subject to sunshine laws and need to be recorded.  I have an issue with meetings being held that do not include all interested parties, such as the full Fair Board, and since these meetings were discussing the use of public funds, I also feel the public should have been advised of the meetings.  

The Preble County Fairgrounds will in the near future be subject to competition from a brand new Montgomery County Fairgrounds and that facility will more likely than not begin attempting to attract events from surrounding fairgrounds and the region.  It is my opinion that the grant money should be used to upgrade the electrical system of the Fairgrounds, which has previously been mentioned as the biggest expense facing the Fair Board during the week of the fair.  Restroom facilities at the Expo building have been mentioned as a much needed addition by facility users.  Loss of events for lack of restrooms at the Expo will have a negative impact on the Preble County economy and in particular, Eaton.  Any savings from electrical system upgrades can be put toward painting and new roofs at the Fairgrounds. The $875,000 capital grant is subject to “prevailing wage” laws and I see no reason to spend money on that pay level for painting that could be done at a later date and not subject to the higher wage demands of a state grant.

In the spirit of open records and in addition to the video I am attaching an email recieved from Rodney Creech this afternoon with the documents he attached.

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Appeared – March 27, 2014.  http://www.registerherald.com/news/home_top/3973510/Fairgrounds-to-receive-$875000-for-renovations

"The Preble County Fair Board, which met March 20, learned during their meeting of the approved proposal for a capital improvement project to upgrade portions of the fairgrounds including electrical systems, roadways, buildings, restroom facilities, and more."

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—–Original Message—–

From: Rodney Creech

Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 2:03 PM

To: Jeff Golden; Mary Bullen

Subject: 20150610_133112.pdf

 

 

Jeff/Mary

 

Thank you for coming to the meeting today. I appreciate your input and understand there are many things that we all want to accomplish but unfortunately $875,000 just doesn't go very far.

 

Please find attached a pdf from the June 3rd meeting where Mary asked me to get both Rodney Mann and James Mays involved in discussing the projects to be discussed and where we discussed getting a priority list. I have talked to both James and Rod along with you Mary many times. But I specifically got them involved just as you asked and they invited A few others.

 

I am not plotting or creating a small group "to get my way". You asked that i involve them and as always I did to review the list from PCI. Other then a few minor changes they were very satisfied with the list.

 

Jeff,

 

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Please contact Rodney Mann if you have any questions as i talked to him this afternoon and he said you are more then welcome to call him.

 

Mary

 

I truly have a lot of respect for you appreciate you and think a lot of you. We may not agree on exactly what is needed but I agree that all of our hearts are in this for the betterment of Preble Co. We just have to agree to disagree on some things.

 

I will promise both of you that I have already talked to Beagle and Rezabek and will continue to for future grants.

With what they are going to help Mont Co we are going to need a lot of  help.

 

Only next time we will get input from everyone and have a plan so we know what to ask for.

 

Thanks

Rod

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My response.

Rodney,

Thank you for the follow up.  As I have stated before; any conversations I am party to for legitimate background on this issue should be on the record. My position continues to be in support of bathroom/shower facilities at the Expo Building and the addressing of the electrical issues that should save money long term during events like the upcoming Fair. Until a public meeting is held that changes my mind – I will support any effort on those issues and seek the future removal of anyone from the decision making process that eliminates those items.

Jeff

Documents attached:

*Note: I believe this to be a partial transcription of the meeting – Jeff

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