Johnston resigns from Carp fair board after being asked to, Termination of Holstein show as part of fair comes up for discussion at annual meeting

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By Theresa Fritz

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EMC News - A couple of issues cast a bit of a shadow over an otherwise successful year for the Carp Agricultural Society.

The dismissal last month of Charlene Johnston, who was to be the co-president during the Carp Fair's 150th anniversary year in 2013, and the termination of the fair board's involvement with the Carleton County Holstein Show as part of the fair, were topics of discussion during the fair board's annual meeting last Wednesday.

Agriculture president for 2012, Paul Caldwell, confirmed to the West Carleton Review EMC that Johnston was indeed asked to resign from the fair board and she did.

"She wasn't following the policies and procedures of the Carp Fair board and she was asked to resign and it was a unanimous decision of the board at the Jan. 17 meeting," Caldwell explained on behalf of the board of directors.

He said this is not the first time in the fair board's history a director has been asked to step down. However, it is not something that has happened in recent memory.

"Everyone is very upset about it," he said. "It is the hardest decision I've had to make on the board."

SADDENED

For her part, Johnston was clearly saddened by the turn of events.

"I served 11 years on the board. It is a big commitment," she said. "I have done a lot of work in the community."

She said 17 of her family members were involved with Carp Fair, including her father Weldon, who is 90 years of age and is the oldest living fair past president. He was president in 1954.

"My intent is not to destroy the fair," Johnston emphasized

Johnston said she had wanted to apply for a Heritage Canada grant to fix up an aging Carp Agricultural Society exhibit hall. She said she had "done a lot of preliminary work" but found she could not find support for the grant from her fellow board members.

"I guess I have been talking out of the classroom in the community about things I think need to happen and the board didn't like it," Johnston stated. "I was, apparently, not following proper procedure."

Johnston said the "very attractive" Heritage Canada grant stipulates the work must be done during an anniversary year. In the case of the Carp Fair, that would be in 2013 for the 150th anniversary, but it could be completed over several years.

However, she felt she did not have the support for something she believed made sense in light of the fair's upcoming 150th anniversary

"The building may not be falling down today, but inevitably, it will need repairs over the next few years...taking advantage of federal funds would be a sound fiscal decision," Johnston stated.

She spoke briefly at last Wednesday's annual meeting at the Carp Agricultural Society hall urging her former peers to take a long hard look at what has transpired, and look at what the future of the fair should be.

"This heritage designated building (the octagon-shaped exhibit hall) now in ill repair, serves as the focal point of our community," Johnston told the crowd assembled at last week meeting. "Its heritage value lies in it's association with the development of the Fair for almost 150 years and its character is defined by its unique octagonal shape. Restoration of this City of Ottawa Heritage structure would guarantee its continuation for many decades to come.

"Today in 2012, we cannot deny the fact that the urban boundaries are encroaching what was once a small village. It is now, more than ever, paramount that we continue to promote agriculture and ensure that this society maintains its status as an Agricultural Society in the province of Ontario and fulfill our legal obligation to the minister of agriculture and the taxpayers of this province. This can only be done by continuing to host livestock competitions, beautifying the agricultural community and supporting facilities to encourage activities intended to enrich rural life."

She said she has been very enthusiastic about the restoration of the exhibit hall as well as the preservation of the Carleton County Holstein Show (known as the Black and White Show). And she said she realizes her enthusiasm has not been shared by everyone.

"I admit my actions may not have been customary, but my interest was to promote agriculture and pay reverence to the past and the most venerable pioneers that worked tirelessly to build this society. I had no hidden agenda," she concluded.

HOLSTEIN SHOW

Concern over the Carleton County Holstein Show's dismissal from the Carp Fair's lineup was questioned at last week's annual meeting.

According to Herb Henderson, who asked why the show was being removed, the organization received a two paragraph letter from the fair board in November, stating the show would no longer be part of the fair.

"My concern is there really was no communication between the Carleton Russell Holstein Club," Henderson stated. "There has been a good relationship in the past. I believe there are a few issues that could be resolved. I believe the way agriculture is going, there is a way for this show to be held during the three days of the fair."

He then asked 2012 president Paul Caldwell if the rationale was between ending the relationship between the Holstein show and the fair.

Caldwell said typically the Holstein club comes in on the Monday night the week of the fair and this causes some issues.

"We have had some problems getting the fair ready," Caldwell explained. "With 4-H also coming in Friday morning, it works a little better for their set up."

He added there have been "blow ups" between Holstein show exhibitors in front of 4-H participants. As well, the fair "receives no revenue" for having the Holstein show.

"That is why we offered them a separate day (to hold their show at the fairgrounds) if they wanted," Caldwell responded.

Henderson said he had 19 animals at the show and did not bring them in until Wednesday of fair week.

"It's an agricultural show," he said. "I just feel there is room in your three-days schedule for this show."

He proposed a motion from the floor calling for the fair board to rescind its decision regarding the Holstein show. The vote was lost as most people voted to stick with the fair board's decision to end its relationship with the Carleton County Holstein show during the Carp Fair.




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