By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
The Wood County Fair Board established a special committee during a meeting Monday night to address the conduct of a current fair board director.
Fair board directors Brad Hannan, Kip McDowell and Dave Nietz will serve on a committee to look into an inquiry of misconduct allegations by a fair board director. The board met in executive session to discuss the personnel issue before making the recommendation in open session to form a committee for further investigation.
Simultaneously, the board will be working to update and approve a directors’ handbook that has been in progress for two years.
According to Jessica Nagel, former fair board President Kyle Culp asked her to put together a directors’ handbook that would include “overall directions for any board member.” The concept for the handbook was to provide basic information and help answer questions, primarily for new directors.
The information includes a mission statement, policies and procedures, the agricultural society’s constitution, fair board committees and descriptions, the Ohio Fairs’ Redbook that details laws and rules that pertain to the activities of county and independent agricultural societies, and a proposed code of conduct.
“We brought the code of conduct to the board, sent it out to everyone to check and that is where it stopped,” Nagel said. The issue has been discussed by the executive team several times, but no action has been taken, she added.
Because there are still sections that need to be updated, including the conflict of interest, code of conduct and spending limits, the draft document will be sent to all board members to review and then discuss at the January board meeting. The goal is for the board to vote on a final version in February.
Brad Hannan suggested the board consider implementing an online diversity integration education training for the directors. “The respect that people need to have toward others is too important,” he said. He agreed to explore some options for the board to consider.
The board agreed to accept a friendly challenge from the Northwestern Ohio Tractor Pullers to collect items for the Bowling Green Christian Food Pantry. They will be collecting food and hygiene items through Dec. 21 at the annual Christmas dinner.
Fair Board President John Nissen praised the group for their work in planning the 2024 fair. “We are starting to roll and make things happen. That makes me feel good. Let’s keep up the forward momentum and put together some good fairs,” he said.
