In the poll paid for by the 32nd District Agricultural Association Board (32nd DAA) , also known as the Fair Board, 69.2% of the Orange County residents surveyed said they opposed selling the Orange County Fairgrounds to raise cash to help fill the state's budget gap. And yet the Fair Board put the property up for sale. The poll cost $14,500, was conducted by Probolsky Research, and paid for with your money.
A few other facts you need to know the Fair Board ignored when they decided to put the Fairgrounds up for sale:
- 30.6% said the Fair/Fairgrounds is too important to communities/families to sell
- 24% said don't sell the good assets
- 11.6% said that selling the Fairgrounds is only a short term solution and doesn't solve anything
- 9.5% were concerned about losing tradition and history if the property were sold
There is one thing a clear from the poll results - 84% of the people surveyed said they oppose the sale of the Fairgrounds to a for-profit corporation with no guarantee is would continue to operate as a fair. This is exactly what happened when Craig Realty submitted the high bid during last week's auction - the future of the OC Fair and Fairgrounds is now at risk. There are no guarantees from Craig Realty (one of the partners is responsible for the development of the downtown Brea) which has built outlet malls that there will be a Fair and Fairgrounds in the long term (meaning 100 years or more.)
Thanks to the Fair Board, who asked that the property be put up for sale, we are on the verge of losing our Fair and Fairgrounds. This is what 84% of Orange County residents feared.
The next Fair Board meeting is Thursday, January 21 at 10 AM at the Administration Building at the Fairgrounds. Fax the Governor to tell him to reject all bids and stop the sale. 916-558-3160
it is not fair or right that anyone would take away one of the only wholesome acts and wholesome events left in Orange county! If a good community and neighborhood is desired then one needs a good family oriented background. The OC fairgrounds provide just that. It is a place for family's to gather and unite. A safe place for both neighbors and friends alike to share a common interest. If this area is denied by society as a common met-tinning ground, then Costa mesa truly has nothing left. From the bottom of my heart i hope that we can pull together and establish a peaceful place for our children to grow up. If for nothing else i could only dream that our children and grand children experience the same life enriching activities that the fair grounds has provided our generation!
Posted by: Jennelle Gierczak | 01/22/2010 at 03:19 AM