County fair loses its manager

The Wahkiakum County fair gained a handyman Tuesday but lost a manager.

Appointed barely a month ago, Becky Ledtke told county commissioners she wouldn't accept the position after the commission voted to hire a handyman not of her choosing.

County commissioners recently asked the fair advisory board to recommend a manager and handyman for employment, and the fair board had recommended Ledtke, manager for past two years, be hired as manager. However, snafus delayed interviewing of handyman applicants until last week.

The fair board met, and after interviewing the two candidates, voted 8-3 to recommend hiring of Anthony Jones as manager (see note at end of story). Ledtke, however, held out for hiring Ed Stevens, whom she had employed as handyman while she was manager.

Commissioners met in executive session for 10 minutes before acting on the matter.

Upon reconvening in open session, they asked if there was any public comment, and Puget Island resident Martie Vavoudis recommended they hire Stevens because of his experience.

"We appreciate your advocacy," said commission Chair Blair Brady. "We have a fair board we're empowering to make these decisions. The fair board interviewed these candidates and made their decision."

He asked for a motion, and the commission voted 3-0 to hire Jones.

Brady then asked Ledtke, who was in the audience, if she would accept the position of manager.

"I must decline the position," she said.

Brady thanked her and her family members for all the work they've done for the fair in the past few years.

Brady then asked Fair Board President Philip Vik if he and the board wanted to recommend hiring one of the other candidates for manager.

Vik said he didn't have a mandate from the board, so they would hold a special meeting. They have begun advertising for a manager and will hold a special meeting on Monday, 7 p.m., in the Wahkiakum PUD meeting room to consider the matter.

Vik said that the fair board had signed an agreement with Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars and would have the fair grounds ready for the group's car show and barbecue on June 1.

Editor's Note: The initial publication of this story said Jones was a former county Health and Human Services employee. That's incorrect; he worked for Elochoman Valley Partners, which is a stand alone business associated with Health and Human Services.