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Fair association presents candidate; commissioners move to enter contract negotiations amid public concern about transparency
Summary
The Bradford County Fair Association introduced Harley Hutchinson as its preferred candidate for fair manager; the commission moved to begin contract negotiations while a public commenter said recent fair board actions were not being conducted "above board."
The Bradford County Fair Association presented Harley Hutchinson as its chosen candidate for fair manager during the Sept. 25 county commission meeting; the board voted to enter contract negotiations with Hutchinson and expect to finalize terms within about a week.
Brad Thomas, vice president of the Bradford County Fair Association, summarized the fair board’s selection process and introduced Hutchinson. Hutchinson, who identified herself as director of events for the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville and a resident of Union County, described her event‑planning, sponsorship and operations experience and outlined goals for the fairgrounds, including expanding youth leadership, livestock contests and year‑round events intended to draw visitors to Bradford County.
Public comments and transparency concerns: earlier in the public‑comment period, speaker Zion De Strong said he felt his appointment to the fair board was treated as a token placement and asserted that “things have been done out of the sunshine.” De Strong urged that fair‑board business be conducted transparently and “above board.” Those remarks were raised again in the context of the board’s fair‑management selection.
Board action and follow up: after Hutchinson’s presentation, a commissioner moved to proceed with the fair board’s recommendation and to enter contract negotiations with Hutchinson; the meeting record shows the board will proceed and expected a finalized agreement within a week. The recorded statement was, “I will move forward with the fair board and enter into contract negotiations with Haley, and we'll hope to have something finalized within the next week.” No roll‑call vote total appears in the minutes for that motion in the transcript; the county manager indicated staff will proceed with negotiations.
Why it matters: the fair manager role oversees events, vendor and sponsor relationships and facility use at the county fairgrounds. Hutchinson told the board she hopes to increase year‑round use of the grounds, host trade shows and career fairs, rebuild the county’s horse arena program and improve the annual county fair’s reputation and reviews.
Ending: Commissioners expressed support for Hutchinson’s presentation and several offered volunteer help for restored events such as rodeos and a proposed “taste of Bradford” community event. The manager will return to the board with a draft contract once negotiations are complete.
