To the Editor:
Alcohol and the fair.

I have never written a letter to the editor before, but I am so disheartened. I guess I just wanted to know if anyone out there in Carroll County might be as disappointed as I am after learning of the plan to sell alcohol at the fair this year.

I attended a fair board meeting with many other members of this community several years ago. At this meeting, the board explained to us the need to come up with more funding to operate the fair and wanted to implement the sale of alcohol to help with the cost. There were many concerned people of the community in attendance; they overflowed to the outside of the building. Their answer was respectful and clear: “no” we do not want the sale of alcohol at our fair. They expressed valid concerns to the members of the fair board. Various churches and residents, myself included, offered to help raise money to support our county fair.

I personally offered (at no cost) to visit area businesses to ask if they would like to help show their support for our fair by purchasing a banner to advertise their business. These banners would be displayed at the fairgrounds (possibly along the fence) to advertise local businesses during the fair with all the profits going to the fair board.

The fair board, in response to the community members who attended the meeting that night, voted not to sell alcohol at the fair.  I was asked to attend a follow-up meeting concerning the banners. At that meeting, I was told that someone else would be taking care of the suggestion of the banner. If I missed a recent meeting of the fair board to discuss the sale of alcohol once again at our fair, I apologize.  I would have attended and once again offered my help.

If there is anyone who would like to discuss the selling of alcohol at our fair this year and options we, as a community, might have in response, I would love to get together with you Monday, June 20, in the Carrollton High School cafeteria at 7 p.m.

I will also be requesting our fair board members attend. Thank you for your time and please let it be known that I do so much appreciate all those who participate in and help make our county fair a wonderful event.

Sherie Smith
Carrollton, OH 

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