Pantagraph.com | News | Farmer City to pursue 2-year fairground lease

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Why should they.. wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:08 PM:

" go out and get the land when they already have it. What sense does it make to go buy more land when you already own some. Nobody said the fair has to end. The fair board has their own land let them go build on it. Most people that come to the races don't stop and spend money in Farmer City. I am sure the fairboard has looked into seeing what people going to the races spend. If it was worth noting they would be talking up and down about it. "

fix all wrote on Oct 10, 2007 8:01 PM:

" Let the race coordinator take care of the raceway issue, let the school take care of the sport facility locations, let Rutledge Farms sell their cattle at their own farm, let the city take care of summer sports programs, let DeWitt County take care of the fair. Some of you want growth - however are not willing to sacrifice "your lifestyle" to permit the growth. Others of you do not want any growth...either way, this community will continue to stay in the eternal "holding pattern" until someone stands up, picks up the ball, and runs with it. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to aquire a City Manager who will be here for more than one or two years. Another option is to avoid the "coffee shop/bar stool chats" that seem to govern this city's political arena. "

Results 5 CONT. wrote on Oct 10, 2007 4:27 PM:

" If our city leaders are convinced that 150 plus acres are needed for homes, go out and get it. We are surrounded by land. The cost should quickly be offset by all of those homes paying taxes to the city. Also the city could urge Phase 2 of Prairie Ridge. This town needs the benefits of any and all revenues that are provided including races, fair, homes, business, and schools. "

Results X 5 wrote on Oct 10, 2007 4:15 PM:

" If you are referring to utilities to Snow property, the study the city paid for says that it is cheaper to run them to Snow land than to run them to fairgrounds. Most businesses that want major road access are doing it for the visibility and would want easy interstate access and interstate visibility. The Snow property allows for virtually unlimited acreage for development that is or could be annexed into the city. Your mistake is your thinking that no one that comes to the fair or races spends any money in Farmer City. The city needs to stop thinking only about how it effects the city pocketbook but rather the other local businesses such as Hucks that benefit financially from the races/fair. More homes and businesses would also be beneficial to the city. Some council members need to stop thinking of this as an either/or situation and determine a way for this to be WIN-WIN for the COMMUNITY. Keep the races and fair AND develop more housing and business. "

Re: former resident wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:16 PM:

" No one is saying that they are not generating income. They are not saying how much it does generate. Your addmission to the race doesn't go towards the city. The fariboard doesn't share that. Businesses that close are due to a lack of support of the citizens not the city. Maybe if you spent a little less time in the bars with your four kids and more time at Jo Jo's or Peggy's they would still be open. "

RE:RE RE RE Results wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:03 PM:

" I can't speak about naive Bloomington leaders (how about three yes men in Farmer City). But they knew it was wise to use land in the city that was already close to water and sewer as appose to build outside of town and have to extend those services. We are talking about land next to a working rail line right on a state highway that will lead to development of an additional 130 acres into home. Homes that pay property taxes to the city. Or save a fair that most people in Farmer City haven't been to in years and adds nothing to the local economy. That's what doesn't make sense. Look the only number we know that the fair gives the city is $1,000. If you would farm the land you would make over $24,000 before expenses. 45 acres 160 bushel per acre $3.40 per bushel. That would be better use for the land then what it is being used for now. "

former resident wrote on Oct 10, 2007 2:24 PM:

" I grew up in Farmer City. Now that I have moved away, I still continue to support the town and the races. On a Friday night, I will most likely buy my gas at the gas station in town. I will then pay to get into the races. After the races, I may go to the bar. I have bought 50-50 tickets that support the local sporting events. To say that the citizens of Farmer City and the town of Farmer City are not generating income from me, is absurd. I have a family of 4. If Farmer City doesn't want my business so be it. As for the city council members. They do not want the town to prosper. They have had fast food restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses try to buy into the town. As for smaller businesses in town, they have run them into the ground. ie: the flower shops, Mr. McIllvain, Hallmark store, Jo Jo's Carousol. The scarecrow festival was great for the town, but the town destroyed that. "

RE RE RE Results wrote on Oct 10, 2007 1:22 PM:

" Bloomingtons leaders aren't naive enough to believe that fairgrounds are the only place to develop. Bring major insurers, a university, auto manufacturer, large shopping facilities and a line of other businesses waiting to get in Farmer City and your suggestion makes a lot more sense. But when there is land available now and no one is beating the door down to come into town this tells me it your argument is wrong. I certainly do not know how much money the races and fair bring to Farmer City. I also do not know how much money the schools bring to Farmer City, but I will tell you that they both bring dollars to this community, they are both community assets, and they should be preserved. "

Re: RE Results of Poll wrote on Oct 10, 2007 11:18 AM:

" No, Bloomington doesn't have all those things. What Bloomington has is leaders that took the old fairgrounds and develop it into commercial property. Your Indianapolis comparison would hold true if the Farmer City races were bringing in a couple hundred thousand people per event. Besides they only run two major events a year and bring in millions of verifiable dollars to the community. How much does the fair and races bring Farmer City? No one will answer that question. "

RE Results of Poll wrote on Oct 10, 2007 10:17 AM:

" Bloomington doesnt have a Disneyland, Nasa space station, ski resort, egyptian pyramids, or a lou malnados pizza place. Indianapolis seems to appreciate its raceway. There is no growth because the council leaders of this community have done little to nothing to promote growth and the mentality that nothing will come here sounds like some members of the city council. Maybe it is this mentality that is keeping growth away! "

Former Resident wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:11 PM:

" Being born and raised in Farmer City I have been proud of the fact that it is the only one in the world! The name implies that all of the people in the area work together at solving problems and living together! When I returned I was greeted by a different town, a town that thought of single agendas instead of agendas for the whole. The soul of the city is made up of all of the people. I see the valid points on all sides, the issue is that you want the town to grow, so explore all new ideas! It seems that nothing new wants to come there because the town does not seem to want to accept or support change. That is why all new things go to LeRoy and Mahomet, because those towns go out and look for it, not sit back and wait for something to come to them, nothing gets done if you do not put the effort in it for it to happen. There is a solution, you just need to work together to find it and accept it and still keep what you already have. "

Re: I honestly wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:27 PM:

" Do you have the results of your poll? People should respect the right of a person to have their own opinion. Not the opinion itself. This town will never grow with a race track in it. If it is such a great thing why doesn't Bloomington have one? If I'd have my way I'd build one at Rt. 136 and I-74 and have Sargent run it every Friday night. Then there wouldn't be a problem. "

Not crying.. wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:19 PM:

" for city. I wan't the one who brought up taxes. It was you or one of your fellow fairboard members did. Since you are afraid to identify yourself. "while the city pays the entire taxes for the fairgrounds (while getting $1000 year), the fairboard pays the entire tax bill for South Park (and gets $0 in return). " Roger got tired of dealing with small town B.S. that you and your kind thrive on. It wouldn't be hard to set aside part of the land of the fairgrounds for a new city park. If the city was smart they should put a tax on admission to every event that takes place at the fairgrounds. It works for the big cities. Why should the fairboard be the only ones making money off the out of towners? "

I honestly wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:53 PM:

" believe that this thing with the city and the fair board has only accomplished one thing and that is hatard and malice in our little town.......people should respect other people's opinion. The council is not interested in the majoriity. "

To Carlton: wrote on Oct 9, 2007 6:10 PM:

" Who do you think you are? I would be willing to bet that you don't even exist! However, if you do..no one cares anyway! You and your $200,000 are both worthless in my book! "

For Chris wrote on Oct 9, 2007 5:00 PM:

" Regarding Roberson, The city and fair met the deadline given by Roger giving him the OK to build, but he decided he would leave anyway. Regarding taxes, it is on record that the city has paid taxes on city land (water treatment plant, and other locations) when those should have been tax free yet did nothing about it. The city was advised to protest the recent tax increase on fairgrounds yet did nothing about it. Don't cry for the city in regards to taxes. "

I think... wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:16 PM:

" Carlton is a member of the fairboard and all he is doing is getting people fired up over what he is saying and not asking tough question of the fairboard. "

to carlton wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:00 PM:

" if your house is bother by the races, you must have built it close to the tracks and elevators. I would rather have the noise than the rats? You made a poor investment and don't blame that on the fair grounds. "

Dan Stimler wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:56 PM:

" The City of Farmer City needs the race track and fairgrounds and the schools need South park! The race track is one of the only things that keeps Farmer City on the map, and South park is important to the schools athletic programs! Keep them both, there are plenty of other options for growth in town. The city council just needs to explore other options and let these two things grow and prosper! look elsewhere to develop! The options are there if you just open your eyes and look around! I can see them, why can't you?? "

WHO CARES!! wrote on Oct 9, 2007 3:24 PM:

" carlton, that must be one heck of a nice house for $200K!! Plus I can see you are very proud of it since you have mentioned the price in more than one post. nobody cares what you "paid" for your house so get off the high horse if you would please. The track was there way before you "paid" for your house and will probably be there long after you are gone and can only sell it for $150K... "

Unbelievable wrote on Oct 9, 2007 2:07 PM:

" It is amazing to me that there could have been any "no" votes as the city had no backup plan for a park, ballfields, soccer fields and BMX track. The city is totally unprepared. Chico Parr says that no plans can be made for fairground land until it is vacant, doesnt he know that most cities plan for 10 years down the road. I also assume that he will be recommending withholding county committee devolpment funding for 4 years as there is nothing they will be able to do since the fairground land is the ONLY land in Farmer City that can be developed. With his thinking, he better campaign his butt off, but most feel he should just get his butt off city council. "

Re. to Chris.. wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:06 PM:

" It's hard to know the facts when the fairboard has been doing nothing but putting out misinformation. Just so I know the facts. What does the fairboard do with that land it keeps buying with the money it receives from the state? Farm it? What does the board do with the money it makes from the sale of the crops? Maybe the fairboard should open their books to the people of Farmer City. Just so they can know why the fairboard is fighting so hard for this. "

Chris Zimmerman wrote on Oct 9, 2007 12:56 PM:

" How do you know that Roger had made the decision to move? Even with an empty building the the site would have roads and services ran to it. You have all the answers so tell us how much the fair and racetrack brings to the city. It's on record that it cost the city $7,000. What's the taxes on 40 acres in a flood plain. If the fairboard wants to save the park why don't they give it to the school. After all the school will be hurt most of all by the closing of the park. You know who I am are you brave enough to say who you are? Probably not. "

To Chris Continued wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:44 AM:

" The fairboard took grant money from the state that was required to eventually be used for land, and bought the land west of town - not South Park. They have a note against South Park. The Fair Board bought South Park to save it, since Illinois Power would not sell it to the City. And, if they did not have it now, there would not even be any negotiations as they would have nothing to negotiate with. It is people like you who don't know the facts, then spread false information, that is the real problem here. And unfortuneately, the people who don't know what they are talking about or have selfish intentions are the ones who are influencing Chico and Joe. "

To Chris, wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:41 AM:

" Why the Roberson situation is still an argument is amazing to me, as Roberson had already made the decision to move to Mahomet, and had he stayed in Farmer City, we would have an empty building on the fairgrounds property now instead of a racetrack and fairgrounds. Second, the fairboard lease doesn't cover the property tax the city has to pay each year because the assessment of the land was raised 2 years ago. The lease was drawn up 20 years ago. I don't know what the fairboard or city could have done to foresee a several-hundred percent increase in assessed valuation 16 years down the road in 1989. What is also always left out is, while the city pays the entire taxes for the fairgrounds (while getting $1000 year), the fairboard pays the entire tax bill for South Park (and gets $0 in return). "

To Carlton wrote on Oct 9, 2007 11:26 AM:

" First it was your decision to build your $200,000 house in FC. Second, the racetrack and fairgrounds property is not suited for major business, there is no easy interstate access. Thirdly, Farmer City is actually known for the race track, why not promote it and benefit from it. I do not know how the taxes work. It seems the city should receive revenue from the races and fairbroard. "

Bloomington Resident wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:26 AM:

" I have attended the Races for over 10 years there and I have been there every Friday night for the past 6 years. They put on good races and have a great promoter, but the fair is the worse excuse of a fair in Illinois. I spent 11 years of my life traveling from fair to fair showing livestock and now I go and watch for an additional 6 years to the fairs in Illinois. Truthfully the quality of rides, games, food, activities, shows, and people participation is the most horrible at this fair than any other fair in Illinois. I hate to see the track go but I do not see anyone missing that fair. TO: The fair board please do some traveling to other fairs and see the difference in your buildings, games, rides, shows, activities, and quality and quantity of people attending. "

Chris Zimmerman wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:37 AM:

" So let me get this straight. The fairboard runs a major employer out of town. The fairboard lease doesn't cover the property tax the city has to pay each year. Costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fairboard then takes grant money from the state and buys large sums of land with the money (instead of putting it into the fair) including South Park. Then it holds South Park for ransom to get the city to make a deal that would only be beneficial to the fair board. Yet most of the people blame the city for this. What is wrong with you Farmer City? Why are you not up in arms about this with the fairboard? "

To: Actually & To: Resident wrote on Oct 9, 2007 9:33 AM:

" If the City loses South Park, there goes soccer for the K-8 kids & some of the summer Little League. Why would families with children stay in FC if there is nothing for kids? Then, a housing developer won't want to come here because they wouldn't be able to sell any homes & a business developer is going to be leary of developing in a dying town. The council hasn't done anything with the land north of the interstate because they don't want to spend the money, why would the fairgrounds be any different. And we certainly know that the City won't spend the money to build a new park, as Chico once said they would. The City needs to keep the limited income that is generated by the fair & the races & make the fair pay a more fair amount for the lease. Then maybe if the fair had to make more money to break even, it would be more than a horse & pony show as it is now. "

What Chico wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:39 AM:

" and Joe did is prove that they want nothing to do with economic development. They voted against all three proposals, with nothing in their plans for a park, any development, or anything positive for the future of Farmer City. It can be viewed as nothing other than closed-mindedness at the expense of the community. Chico may say that he has 98% of the community behind him, but when he has only spoken to Randy Mathews and maybe 2 others in regards to their opinion, he has miscalculated how the community will vote in the next election. Just ask Randy how his last election went. Good riddance, Chico. "

Dan Stimler wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:30 AM:

" To Chico and the rest of the city council, living in Farmer City I have learned one thing. Farmer City has shot down potential development in the past and I do not see anyone jumping on the opportunity to pursue the fairgrounds as a possible development site anytime in the near future! This town needs to clean up its image around the outskirts of town as well as in town before anyone will want to bring any type of business to this community! Farmer City has potential and some great citizens, but in all honesty, take a look around you. It has the look of a run down, has been town. Not the look of a city that potential businesses want to see when they are looking to develop! My home town has not changed much in over 40 years it, is stagnant! That needs to change for the betterment of the city! "

To: resident wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:20 AM:

" The elected officials (taking the heat) DO have a clue. That's part of the problem - on this particular issue, many in the local population do not. It is unfortunate their emotions have been taken hostage by a group that is conducting a tremendous spin campaign. Look at the lease - the town has been GIVING the fair board more than $7000 a year. And what does the fair board do? Adding that to the mega$ in state rehab funds they receive (the crux of the long-term lease / ownership issue), they have purchased almost $300K in property and real estate over the past several years - now worth almost half a million. You'd think they would put on a better fair with money like that laying around. "

Better than nothing. wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:10 AM:

" I would have liked to see the council actually do their job and make a more long term decision. It looks to me like they decided to pass the buck to the next council, but I am glad we have another two years to use south park. Its better than the bulldozer. "

Actually wrote on Oct 9, 2007 8:08 AM:

" "resident" doesn't have a clue. Keeping the fairgrounds is killing your cities potential growth. Hope your kids enjoy the park, that is all they will ever have because of the small minded mentality that reigns in FC. "

I sure hate to wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:32 AM:

" see the Farmer City Fair go. We have shown cattle down there for years and it is by far the best fair we go to. Bill Rutledge and his whole family do a wonderful job with the cattle show and we have met and made a lot of new friends there. "

I wonder wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:13 AM:

" if the FC council is aware of what is being built north of town and if they have shown any kind of interest or welcome to the growth of the business. It is a large and well known business. "

Carlton wrote on Oct 9, 2007 7:08 AM:

" Well, I would say "there goes the neighborhood" but it's way too late for that. What are these people thinking? This place should have been closed 10 years before I built my $200,000 house in FC. I am very disappointed in the (wrong) decision. "

resident wrote on Oct 9, 2007 5:22 AM:

" I hope the fairboard agrees and the kids can keep their facilities. Now we can elect some officials that have a clue. "

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