Response to buses being used from Martin County
Lawrence County Fair Board did request the Lawrence County buses (2) to be used at the fair for transport, and we would assume pay for those drivers as well as insurance. It was denied by the Lawrence County board of education saying in the meeting that it was a liability issue.
The Lawrence County Fair board was not contacted during the board of education meeting. We have a 2-million-dollar policy and have had added insurance as requested by other entities, for instance when we were at our old location, which we outgrew, Jim Booth asked us to add a 2-million-dollar policy to use his property to park on. It was never mentioned in the board of education meeting, which has been circulated and is on you tube, that it was against policy.
As far as it being ok to use our buses, for the Noah Concert, because it was on school property, the reason they used buses was because the parking was so far away, including Walmart parking lot area. I am not arguing with Mr. Preston, but the board policy 06.5 does not state except when being used on school grounds. I understand the policy, however as stated at the board meeting there was an exception made for “a once in a lifetime opportunity”, which I hope was not once in a lifetime, there is a lot of talent in Lawrence County. The Lawrence County Fiscal Court signed an insurance waiver, like the fair board would have, taking full responsibility of the buses and the football field used during the Noah Concert. The disinformation or slanderous comments are not coming from Lawrence County Fair board. There are no fools on this fair board, and we will continue to support all Lawrence County.
When the fair board was denied, we immediately tried finding other shuttle methods. We had a church step up and run shuttle both Friday and Saturday night, which we greatly appreciate Fallsburg Tabernacle for doing so. Judge Phil Carter nor the Fiscal Court had any determination in this. The fair is in a great location for views and we are working with county officials to make it the best facilities available. We have applied for grants to get buildings built using engineering companies, certified electricians, and state inspectors.
Martin County was called and they agreed provided the fair board pay for the drivers. Fair board members felt this would be the best option.
As far as people taking their students to other schools as stated, I feel Lawrence County Schools are some of the best in our area. The agriculture program showcased this weekend shows what our kids have the opportunity to do. There were no school board members at the livestock shows that I am aware of. These are the programs we should be enticing students to come across the borders to become part of. Our 4H programs are growing and would be encouraging to any youth participating.
Judge Phil Carter nor the fair board are self-centered Egoists as evidenced by the Lawrence County Fair. We are hardworking citizens of Lawrence County and want what is best for our youth in Lawrence County. We are not feet stomping, childish temper tantrum throwing members who didn’t get our way. We simply made a solution to a problem we had. No one to my knowledge on the Lawrence County Fair Board tried to pick a fight or cause any embarrassment to the Fair or the Fair Board. We welcome all citizens to our meetings and are open to any suggestions, some we can assist with and others we are working on. One example being handicapped accessible, we poured a blacktop strip for wheel chair accessibility. According to Paula Lambert this worked out well for Craig, her handicapped son. We also added the motor cross this year to incorporate for more youth. We are growing and during growth you will run into some road blocks and we will work for solutions to those.
We hope to see you all at the 2023 Lawrence County Fair as our work on it began yesterday.
Sincerely
Rick Blackburn
Lawrence County Fair Board
President
Magistrate District 4
Very well said and this administration is doing an excellent job with the Lawrence County Fair. If I remember correctly a politician stated this was a bad place to have the fair or something like that. Sounds like political jealousy to me.
You and your wife Do a good job every year so proud of you guys
Well said. True colors have been shown. Please let’s move on. Politics has no business in the well being of our children. The only time to remember this mess when we can change who makes the decisions that involve our children. Even the children who aren’t in sports. LawrenceCountyallin.
Well said and thank you for all you and Phil Carter do for the kids in Lawrence County. Also let’s not forget Heath basically said next will be the Senior Citizen needing help then what. If Preston isn’t going to support our kids and doesn’t want the Seniors to ask for help if they need it then he doesn’t need to be on the Board Of ED and he’s useless to our community if you wouldn’t help a Senior. That once in a life time remark referring to Noah was uncalled for, we have a lot of local talent, maybe Preston should listen as the kids sing the national anthem or maybe he should support the kids by going to the music in the park and listen to some of the once in a life time singers that has the same opportunity as Noah did. He should never discourage kids from following their dreams like that. Also I didn’t care much for his family member saying send the kids to another school.
I was appalled and ashamed of Heaths remarks in the school boards meeting!!! In my opinion he is not for the kids of Lawrence County, he seems to care more about his own ego and forcing his views and decisions on others. Perhaps he should remove hisself from the school board and go to another county school board far far away. Bravo to the Fair Board and to Phil Carter.
Perhaps a recall should take place to remove Heath if he will not resign!!
County residents should demand his resignation!!
Am I the only one who thinks that the Fair Board was short-sighted in building these facilities where they did. It is very obvious that parking was ALWAYS going to be an issue…
“Build it and they will come” …. They can’t park but we hope they come!
Now now Tery…you need to go sit in a corner for a time out!!!
They built it and the people came. The fair is great and will grow more each year so don’t be a spoil sport to the kids of Lawrence County your son in law does that without your help.
All I would like to see is Mr. Blackburn help his voters who live in the city with their roads
Mr. Kag the county has used its equipment and worker’s to pave many city streets. Proud to say the city and county has been working very good together.
Mr. Blackburn have NEVER seen them on my Street care to give some examples and dates
KAG, have you been off your street in the last few years?
A couple times but I will be watching for county workers paving and working on the CITY streets like Mr. Blackburn claims. But I believe we will find all those fraudulent votes from the 2020 election first.
What about groups, organizations and others using Lawrence County School Systems buildings for meetings or any athletic events. If something happens the BOE will be named in a lawsuit. This is no different than using the buses.
try to build a fair grounds in between the biggest church and biggest cemetary on the side of a rockcliff???what could go wrong???MDW
This probably was BASICALLY given to the county for these purposes.
Phil Carter and Heath Preston both suck.
The fair is a great event for everyone in Lawrence county and our neighbors in surrounding counties. Let’s quite throwing stones and continue to build this county for our youth. The fair is in its infancy, so there will always be issues to face and problems to solve. So let’s cool our tempers and focus our energy on improvement. I support the Fair board and this current county administration 100 %. More has been done in the last 4 years than ever before, let’s put aside political bias and focus on our future
So I watched the video, the board attorney said no, the superintendent said no and all five board members voted no, but It’s all Heath’s fault. I guess no one else is to blame. Rick must have felt pretty guilty to respond since it was him telling everyone at the fair it was because of Heath.
Heath appears to be the voice of the school board. So…..
When Phil gets tired of being judge Rick Blackburn would be a awesome replacement
That’s your opinion