Proposal To The Davidson County

Fair Board
Concerning A Citizen’s Advisory Committee

This is a for the establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee that

would serve as both a “clearing house” for community input, as well as
offering suggestions, planning and execution of certain aspects of the
entire Fairgrounds operation.

One of the purposes of this committee would be to give the citizens of

Davidson County a closer relationship to the administration of the
Fairgrounds and to foster a certain feeling of “community ownership”
through its activities.

The committee would generate it’s own ideas and suggestions, as well
as being open to the public for input as to the direction the Fairgrounds
should take in relationship to future planning in it’s goal to “reinvent”
the Davidson County Fair.

Being an advisory committee, it is understood that any and all of the

committee’s suggestions and results would be subject to acceptance or
rejection by the Fair Board on a case-by-case basis.

The committee would also assume the responsibility for execution of

some of its projects. For instance, it’s been suggested that a greenway
project be undertaken. The committee could easily shoulder the
responsibility of recruiting volunteers such as landscape architects and
the labor required (through Boy Scouts, 4-H, or service clubs) to clear
the designated area and to build any facilities, such as the walkway
itself, rest stations (benches), picnic shelters, etc that may be included
in the planning.

The committee, through its members, could also seek financial

contributions of any materials needed for the project, as well as
coordinating the efforts of the various volunteers involved.

This is just one example of possible functions for this committee.

Other projects could include items such as the research to aid in
determining the feasibility of solar panels on the building roofs, and the
possibility of grants or other funding that would offset the cost of such
a project.

The extent of possible ideas and discussions would only be limited by

the vision and creativity of the committee.
We envision a committee of approximately 15 voting members. All
projects submitted to the Fair Board would carry the approval of the
committee.

However, all meetings of the committee would be advertised and open

to the public, and would accept comments and suggestions from the
public to be considered by the committee.

The committee membership would provide a cross-section of

interested parties and “stake holders” in the Fairgrounds and Fair
Operations.

At this time, we have a representative of the Wedgewood/Houston

Neighborhood Group, a representative of the 17th District Neighborhood
Group, two members representing the race-track participants’
interests, one member representing the “green” proponents, and two
“concerned citizens.”

To fill the remaining eight committee positions, invitations would be

issued to the local Hispanic community, the Department of Agriculture,
4-H Club, Future Farmers of America, the Department of Natural
Resources, and other identifiable interested parties.

We would also request one member representing the Fair

Board/Fairgrounds Management.

Others may participate with the committee in a non-voting capacity.

At this time, we have two suggestions for naming the committee.

Considering that this is the 100th year of the fairgrounds, and that
hopefully, we will generate new ideas that will affect the next 100
years, the name “Centennial Committee” has been suggested.

The other suggestion is “Friends of the Fairgrounds.”

We realize that this suggestion will also bring up issues of liability and
the status of any contributions, whether financial or in-kind. But we
feel that these are issues that can easily be worked out.

Thank you for your consideration.

Lisa Leeds
Thomas Watson
Donna Crawford