Potpourri: Fair Board Sought 17 Races And Cash To Settle Racetrack Dispute
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Dan Spalding-dspalding@timesuniononline.com
The chance for racing at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds in 2019 is fading quickly after a failure to resolve a dispute between the fair board and neighbors.
A Dec. 20 mediation hearing, offered up by neighbors who oppose motorized racing and filed suit last year against the fair board, failed to resolve the dispute with the fair board.
Both sides admitted this week the standoff is headed to trial.
Supporters of the race track on Facebook posted a black flag and are suggesting there will likely be no racing again this year.
Despite a nearly 30-year agreement that prohibited motorized racing, fair officials began hosting sporadic races two years ago, saying it is crucial to reviving the fairground’s finances.
The suit silenced racing at the track last year.
According to a source close to the property owners who filed the suit, it became apparent at the mediation hearing that the fair board wants to revive a full schedule of racing during the summer.
In the mediation hearing, the fair sought to host 17 races and wanted $100,000 from the property owners. That was rejected and the fair countered with a plan to host 15 races, the source said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, supporters of the racetrack are organizing a private meeting for Jan. 12 that would include representatives from the fair board in hopes of learning more about immediate plans.
They’re also trying to organize fundraising events to pay for legal fees.
Hello, Mr. Dukes? – Transitions can be a busy time for public officials after being elected. There’s much to do upon taking office, and that goes for Kosciusko County’s new sheriff, Kyle Dukes.
While busy making initial changes in his first week, though, apparently Dukes overlooked the need to change the greeting on his office phone. As of Friday morning, his message machine still included a greeting from former Sheriff Rocky Goshert.
Transparency – Indiana Lawmakers will begin work Monday in a four-month session that includes the biennial budget and calls for increased pay for teachers.
Unfortunately, no details have been announced for public meetings with lawmakers in Kosciusko County.
The “Third House” meetings commonly happen on Saturdays during the session and offer a chance for lawmakers to talk with residents and keep them abreast of developments.
On Friday, the Farm Bureau in Warsaw and a spokesperson for the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce – two entities that have hosted Third House meetings – were unable to provide any details for meetings this year.
In neighboring Elkhart County, though, the Goshen and Elkhart chambers are hosting a combined eight meetings. The first one in Elkhart is Jan. 19.
The Goshen chamber will have a meeting each month through April, according to an organizer who was contacted Friday. The first one is Jan. 18.
Several lawmakers who represent parts of Kosciusko County – including Rep. Curt Nisly, Rep. David Wolkins and Sen. Ryan Mishler – often participate in those Elkhart County meetings.
