(Posted June 25, 2020)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The Madison County Agricultural Society (senior fair board) will hold an in-person election for five seats on its board of directors. The election will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. July 18 in the Coughlin Community Center at the fairgrounds in London. It is scheduled to take place at the end of Junior Fair week.
“Social distancing rules will be in place. People will enter based on the occupancy of the room, cast their ballot, then leave the room,” said Darrell Champer, fair board president.
The Madison County Board of Elections will help to facilitate the election.
Each seat comes with a three-year term. Anyone interested in running for one of the seats must be at least 18 years old, a Madison County resident, and a member of the Ag Society. Ag Society membership costs $5 per year. Candidates also must circulate petitions, securing 10 valid signatures of other Ag Society members. Petitions are due back to the fair secretary or treasurer by 1 p.m. July 11. That also is the last day to purchase a 2020 membership.
There are 15 seats on the board of directors. Members whose terms expire this year are Champer, Joe Henry, Quinton Keeran, Duane Powell and Bryan Stonerock.
The board typically meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month. Recently, the board has been meeting more often to make fair-related decisions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. At the end of May, the board decided to hold a Junior Fair only due to uncertainty at the time about what restrictions would be in place come fair week, set for July 12-18.
For more information about the Ag Society election, to pick up a petition or to purchase a membership, visit the fair office located at the east end of the Eby Show Arena at the fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London. Or call (740) 852-1654. Office hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesday, 12-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon; and by appointment.
