Most of the current board of directors of the Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association are returning for at least another year. This was the outcome of the association’s annual general meeting held on Jan. 20 in the fairground pavilion, when about 50 members of the fair convened to elect the 2016 board and listen to an overview of the fair’s plans for this year’s iconicevent.
President Bill Bosovich began the evening by offering the board’s condolences to the families of Neil (McNeil) Smith and George Bubar, who passed away this January. Both were lifetime members of the fair.
Treasurer Lisa Sims provided an overview of the fair’s finances, as well as an update of the long-standing case involving past board members and their refusal to produce financial documents.
“I had sincerely hoped that when I gave the report this year that it would have been a brief summary that ended with a resolution of this file,” Sims said. “Unfortunately that is not the case.”
“In February 2015, the file saw another delay as the Midway RCMP detachment was temporarily out of commission due to asbestos being found in the building. In March the RCMP officer in charge of the file, Cst Kevin Pierotti, attended the board of directors’ meeting and advised us of the progress made on the file.
“In August there was the fire. In September a production order was granted by a judge to obtain additional documentation. Due to a change in law, the production order needed to be refiled which was completed in October. On Dec. 29, the RCMP received 472 pages of documentation as a result of the production order. Since that time I have unsuccessfully attempted to contact Cst.Pierotti in order to obtain a timeline for the file moving forward.
“On Jan. 16, I received an email from Cpl. Judson Mayes to advise that both he and Cst. Pierotti would be in attendance at tonight’s [board of directors] meeting to provide an update on this file,” Sims continued. “The update is as follows: Cst.Pierotti is working through the documentation and is requesting forensic help from Insp. Tom Roy who is the Kootenay Boundary regional inspector. Cpl. Mayes will be following up with Insp. Roy with respect to the request for assistance and to impress upon him the importance to, and the frustration felt, by both the association and the community, from the lack of progress on the file.
“The board will be following up, and if necessary, will send a contingent to Nelson to meet with Insp. Roy. I urge everyone who is interested in having the matter resolved, to contact Inspector Roy at the Nelson RCMP detachment. Write a letter, make a telephone call, voice your opinion, urge him to take action on this matter. Also, Cst. Pierotti has advised that if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact him at the Midway RCMP detachment and he will be happy to speak with you.”
As for the 2015 fair itself, as reported by Sims shortly after its conclusion, it saw a drop of 12 per cent or $16,292.22 inrevenue, due to lower attendance caused by wet weather and, possibly, a fallout from the Rock Creek fire.
Vice-president Ilana Fraser offered a breakdown of the final budget numbers for 2015, which came in $5,000 under the projection, while director and contracts manager Pierre Sinclaire provided a review of 2015 and 2016 contracts.
Sinclaire was unable to speak to the fate of the Ponderosa Arts and Music Festival, which was cancelled last year due to the wildfire, though he was hopeful that the organizers would be able to once again stage the event in August. The 2016 version of the Boogie Bash, which brings hundreds of motorcyle enthusiasts together for a five-day festival, has been officially scheduled for July 27 – Aug. 1. Sinclaire also reported that fair office manager Jodi Klein had agreed to return for anotheryear.
Bosovich reviewed the varous infrastructure projects undertaken by the board during 2015, including the new gatehouse (due to be completed this year), a new irrigation pump and ongoing improvements to the irrigation system, extensive electrical upgrades, improved drainage in the parking lot and new toilets. Bosovich applauded the board for an excellent 2015 and thanked all of the volunteers and donors who make the fair possible.
Capping off the annual general meeting was the election of the 2016 executive officers and board of directors, overseen by Lions’ Club President Les Jackman.
Bosovich was re-elected by acclamation, as were Vice-president Ilana Fraser, Treasurer Lisa Sims and Secretary Rachel Lautard. Seven of the nine directors will also be returning, while two new directors were elected.
Returning for another year in office will be Lincoln Blaine, Carol Thom, Ian Smith, Danny Nakatsu, Rebecca Lindquist, Dean Corbett and Pierre Sinclaire. Replacing outgoing directors Scott Petrie and Katherine Delisle are newcomers Debbie Pownall and Jeff Sarsons.
During a short meeting upon the conclusion of the annual general meeting, the board chose “Sew it, Grow it, Show it” as the fair’s theme this year, in honour of the 100th year of the Rock Creek Women’s Institute. The event runs Sept. 17 and 18 at the Rock Creek Fairgrounds.
