Post by Lisa Leeds on Dec 16, 2008 22:58:47 GMT -6
Proposal To The Davidson County
Fair Board
Concerning A Citizen’s Advisory Committee
This is a for the establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee that would serve as both a “clearing house” for community input, as well as offering suggestions, planning and execution of certain aspects of the entire Fairgrounds operation.
One of the purposes of this committee would be to give the citizens of Davidson County a closer relationship to the administration of the Fairgrounds and to foster a certain feeling of “community ownership” through its activities.
The committee would generate it’s own ideas and suggestions, as well as being open to the public for input as to the direction the Fairgrounds should take in relationship to future planning in it’s goal to “reinvent” the Davidson County Fair.
Being an advisory committee, it is understood that any and all of the committee’s suggestions and results would be subject to acceptance or rejection by the Fair Board on a case-by-case basis.
The committee would also assume the responsibility for execution of some of its projects. For instance, it’s been suggested that a greenway project be undertaken. The committee could easily shoulder the responsibility of recruiting volunteers such as landscape architects and the labor required (through Boy Scouts, 4-H, or service clubs) to clear the designated area and to build any facilities, such as the walkway itself, rest stations (benches), picnic shelters, etc that may be included in the planning.
The committee, through its members, could also seek financial contributions of any materials needed for the project, as well as coordinating the efforts of the various volunteers involved.
This is just one example of possible functions for this committee. Other projects could include items such as the research to aid in determining the feasibility of solar panels on the building roofs, and the possibility of grants or other funding that would offset the cost of such a project.
The extent of possible ideas and discussions would only be limited by the vision and creativity of the committee.
We envision a committee of approximately 15 voting members. All projects submitted to the Fair Board would carry the approval of the committee.
However, all meetings of the committee would be advertised and open to the public, and would accept comments and suggestions from the public to be considered by the committee.
The committee membership would provide a cross-section of interested parties and “stake holders” in the Fairgrounds and Fair Operations.
At this time, we have a representative of the Wedgewood/Houston Neighborhood Group, a representative of the 17th District Neighborhood Group, two members representing the race-track participants’ interests, one member representing the “green” proponents, and two “concerned citizens.”
To fill the remaining eight committee positions, invitations would be issued to the local Hispanic community, the Department of Agriculture, 4-H Club, Future Farmers of America, the Department of Natural Resources, and other identifiable interested parties.
We would also request one member representing the Fair Board/Fairgrounds Management.
Others may participate with the committee in a non-voting capacity.
At this time, we have two suggestions for naming the committee.
Considering that this is the 100th year of the fairgrounds, and that hopefully, we will generate new ideas that will affect the next 100 years, the name “Centennial Committee” has been suggested.
The other suggestion is “Friends of the Fairgrounds.”
We realize that this suggestion will also bring up issues of liability and the status of any contributions, whether financial or in-kind. But we feel that these are issues that can easily be worked out.
Thank you for your consideration.
Lisa Leeds
Thomas Watson
Donna Crawford
Fair Board
Concerning A Citizen’s Advisory Committee
This is a for the establishment of a Citizen’s Advisory Committee that would serve as both a “clearing house” for community input, as well as offering suggestions, planning and execution of certain aspects of the entire Fairgrounds operation.
One of the purposes of this committee would be to give the citizens of Davidson County a closer relationship to the administration of the Fairgrounds and to foster a certain feeling of “community ownership” through its activities.
The committee would generate it’s own ideas and suggestions, as well as being open to the public for input as to the direction the Fairgrounds should take in relationship to future planning in it’s goal to “reinvent” the Davidson County Fair.
Being an advisory committee, it is understood that any and all of the committee’s suggestions and results would be subject to acceptance or rejection by the Fair Board on a case-by-case basis.
The committee would also assume the responsibility for execution of some of its projects. For instance, it’s been suggested that a greenway project be undertaken. The committee could easily shoulder the responsibility of recruiting volunteers such as landscape architects and the labor required (through Boy Scouts, 4-H, or service clubs) to clear the designated area and to build any facilities, such as the walkway itself, rest stations (benches), picnic shelters, etc that may be included in the planning.
The committee, through its members, could also seek financial contributions of any materials needed for the project, as well as coordinating the efforts of the various volunteers involved.
This is just one example of possible functions for this committee. Other projects could include items such as the research to aid in determining the feasibility of solar panels on the building roofs, and the possibility of grants or other funding that would offset the cost of such a project.
The extent of possible ideas and discussions would only be limited by the vision and creativity of the committee.
We envision a committee of approximately 15 voting members. All projects submitted to the Fair Board would carry the approval of the committee.
However, all meetings of the committee would be advertised and open to the public, and would accept comments and suggestions from the public to be considered by the committee.
The committee membership would provide a cross-section of interested parties and “stake holders” in the Fairgrounds and Fair Operations.
At this time, we have a representative of the Wedgewood/Houston Neighborhood Group, a representative of the 17th District Neighborhood Group, two members representing the race-track participants’ interests, one member representing the “green” proponents, and two “concerned citizens.”
To fill the remaining eight committee positions, invitations would be issued to the local Hispanic community, the Department of Agriculture, 4-H Club, Future Farmers of America, the Department of Natural Resources, and other identifiable interested parties.
We would also request one member representing the Fair Board/Fairgrounds Management.
Others may participate with the committee in a non-voting capacity.
At this time, we have two suggestions for naming the committee.
Considering that this is the 100th year of the fairgrounds, and that hopefully, we will generate new ideas that will affect the next 100 years, the name “Centennial Committee” has been suggested.
The other suggestion is “Friends of the Fairgrounds.”
We realize that this suggestion will also bring up issues of liability and the status of any contributions, whether financial or in-kind. But we feel that these are issues that can easily be worked out.
Thank you for your consideration.
Lisa Leeds
Thomas Watson
Donna Crawford