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Fair Vote Nebraska: 'Issue isn't dead'

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By MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2008 - 05:44:22 pm CDT

A petition drive aimed at keeping the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln has failed, but leaders of the effort say the fight isn’t over.

“The issue isn’t dead as far as we’re concerned,” said Mike Donlan of FairVoteNebraska.com. “We’re not giving this thing up yet.”

The group needed to collect 60,000 petition signatures by Wednesday to put before Nebraska voters a repeal of the law that moves the fair to Grand Island.

Story Photo
Roger Yant

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Group leaders said Wednesday they just missed the mark. They plan to unveil their next move soon, although they declined to give details.

Said Donlan: “We’re looking at some legal options.”

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, city of Grand Island and State Fair Board, meanwhile, are acting aggressively to carry out a new state law that sends the fair west by 2010 and clears the way for UNL to convert State Fair Park into a high-profile research and development campus.

That makes for a long to-do list for each group.

Grand Island

City and fair leaders are crafting architectural plans to ensure Fonner Park is ready to host the 2010 fair.

The city also is working to raise its $8.5 million share of the $42 million it will cost to move the fair. Cindy Johnson, president of the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, wouldn’t disclose how much has been raised but said the public can expect an update by the end of August.

At least $1.5 million to $2 million in private funds will be raised, Johnson said.

“‘Failure’ is not a word we’re familiar with,” she said.

Grand Island has not allowed itself to be sidetracked by FairVoteNebraska.com, Johnson said.

“But it still was a cloud. It still caused uncertainty. Now that particular hurdle has been handled, and we will continue along the path that we are on, and we will wait until the next hurdle.”

State Fair Board

Just more than five weeks from hosting the 139th Nebraska State Fair, board members are focused on putting on “the very best fair that Nebraskans have ever had,” said Barney Cosner, the fair’s executive director.

That will include family-friendly events and a concert lineup headlined by country star Miranda Lambert.

Cosner hopes this year’s fair, which starts Aug. 22, will be a welcome option for families looking to stay closer to home because of high gas prices.

“I’ll tell you, those that don’t stay close to home are going to be missing out,” he said.

Fair leaders also are brainstorming ideas for the 2009 State Fair, likely the end of the event’s run in Lincoln after more than a century.

“It’s coming fast and furious,” Cosner said.

He expressed appreciation for the support his organization has received in recent weeks, but said FairVoteNebraska.com’s efforts haven’t stalled their work.

“We’ve got so much to do in a short time, we didn’t get a chance to be distracted by other things.”

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

UNL on Friday issued a “request for information” to solicit ideas from developers on how to move forward with its proposed Innovation Campus.

If FairVoteNebraska.com’s petition drive had succeeded, UNL would have had to wait until after the Nov. 4 election to formally contract with any developer.

Now UNL expects to follow its hoped-for timeline, said Bill Nunez, director of institutional research and planning: Receive developers’ submissions by Aug. 15; invite standout developers to campus; then issue a formal request for proposals that will produce a developer for Innovation Campus.

“We believe it’s the best thing not only for Lincoln but for the state of Nebraska,” Nunez said of a research campus. “That’s been our purpose from the beginning — to create something for the state of Nebraska.”

The university must contribute $21.5 million toward moving the fair. Chancellor Harvey Perlman said last week he wouldn’t discuss financial details but said he believes NU will have no difficulty reaching that figure.

FairVoteNebraska.com

The dozen volunteers helping the group had just six weeks to gather the required signatures.

That process went well in Lancaster, Douglas, Hall and other counties but faltered in others, group spokesman Roger Yant said. To make the November ballot, the group needed valid signatures from 5 percent of registered voters in 38 counties.

In Lancaster County, volunteers collected more than the 9,700 signatures required by law. Yant didn’t have a total signature count.

“We did darn good,” he said. “We came close but we didn’t quite make the grade.”

He vowed Nebraskans will know FairVoteNebraska.com’s next move within a day or so.

Whatever action the group takes, allies are unlikely to get the issue on the ballot: Any group seeking to repeal legislation via referendum must follow the petition drive process, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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DS wrote on July 16, 2008 9:34 am:
" Just let it go guys! "

 Erik wrote on July 16, 2008 9:37 am:
" For those people who signed the petition, why do you want the fair to be in Lincoln? Is it the tradition of it or do you like paying taxes every year for this? "

 Paul wrote on July 16, 2008 9:40 am:
" Give it up Yants, It's a dead issue! Find a worthier cause to occupy your time. "

 Dano wrote on July 16, 2008 9:42 am:
" Good-bye fair. Good riddance. "

 rh wrote on July 16, 2008 9:46 am:
" I am truly sorry! It is indeed a sad day for ALL Lincoln people. To think we can be controlled by a few at UNL> Hello Whittier School and Cushmans you now have company the Fair Grounds will soon look like you. "

 Jason wrote on July 16, 2008 9:54 am:
" Bummer "

 CONGRATULATIONS wrote on July 16, 2008 9:54 am:
" way to go Nebraska...you spoke up for the little guy...and shut down the big city arrogance....CONGRATULATIONS!!! "

 Sounds about right wrote on July 16, 2008 9:57 am:
" A Yant supported drive falls short. Is this becoming a common theme in Lincoln/ :) Tongue in cheek sirs, no offense intended. "

 John wrote on July 16, 2008 9:58 am:
" This is truly a sad day for us. I think we as a state should have voted for this. Not just UNL wanting and UNL getting. "

 Vern wrote on July 16, 2008 10:01 am:
" The number of signatures collected just goes to show that most Lincolnites do NOT care if the Fair is moved. Let it go. "

 Galen wrote on July 16, 2008 10:04 am:
" Now, can we FINALLY put this to bed? You couldn't get 5% of the voters to sign in LESS THEN HALF of the counties. Give it up. Lincoln should have thought of putting effort into SAVING the fair before it lost it, instead of whining about loosing it. "

 Tyler wrote on July 16, 2008 10:05 am:
" The people of Nebraska have spoken now. It appears that they don't mind the fair being in Grand Island. No need to drag this issue any further, which will come off a sore and pathetic. It is time to move on with the plan legally constructed by our elected officials. "

 J wrote on July 16, 2008 10:09 am:
" Finally, can we now let it go. Development may actually happen in Lincoln. "

 Sue wrote on July 16, 2008 10:12 am:
" Keep plugging away Yant, I'm with you all the way. "

 READ people wrote on July 16, 2008 10:21 am:
" For Pete's sake, READ what the petition was. It was to put the issue ON THE BALLOT and it was being organized by a group called FAIR VOTE NEBRASKA. I'm perfectly fine with the fair moving to Grand Island, but I don't think that's a call our legislators need to make, it ought to be voted on by the citizens of the state. Especially as heated an issue as it is for some people. Just because you don't happen to think the fair should stay in Lincoln does NOT mean it doesn't matter to anyone else, or that it shouldn't be a truly democratic decision. With attitudes like most of you have, Paul's right- it IS a dead issue. Democracy, that is, because no one seems to care about whether we have it or not! "

 TSG wrote on July 16, 2008 10:23 am:
" Erik state taxes pay for the State Fair so it doesn't matter where it moves too because our tax dollars will still pay for it.

I signed the petition because I think it brings good revenue to the state. I would really like it to join the Lancaster County Eventer Center. I think that would be a great location for it, and the cheapest for all, and I want UNL to get their research park because I am only 20 years old and I know there aren't very many "good" jobs in Lincoln. So bring in the park and hopefully there will be some. "

 i signed because i believe wrote on July 16, 2008 10:30 am:
" that it should go before the people for a vote. Not that I would have voted for it, but I felt that something like this should be voted on by the people, not a council. but, not getting enough signatures shows the lack of care if it stays, so their is your answer "

 tax payer wrote on July 16, 2008 10:33 am:
" You can't start a 90 day petition drive 6 weeks late and expect it to pan out. If people had been truly serious about this issue the backers would have been in the Secretary of State's office on the last day of the legislative session filing the paperwork and hitting the streets the next week.Here's a big surprise-they couldn't get the required signatures outsided of Lancaster, Douglas, Sarpy and a few eastern counties. Maybe the rest of the state is tired of putting up with the attitude Lincoln has had toward the fair for the last decade. After 138 years they are tired of driving all the way across the state to show their livestock and projects. Sounds to me like Nebraskans have spoken. "

 Grundle wrote on July 16, 2008 10:34 am:
" Twice now, the Nebraska voters have spoken on this issue. The first time, they spoke with their pocketbooks by not supporting a dying State Fair. The second time, they spoke with their pens by not signing the petition. Does it really need another nail in the coffin? "

 Chad wrote on July 16, 2008 10:34 am:
" The fairgrounds already look like Whittier school! Thats why we're tearing it all down and building something worthwhile. Duh! "

 SW wrote on July 16, 2008 10:37 am:
" The decision to move the State Fair should never have been made without a vote of the people. State Fair budget allocations were voted on and the location should have been a vote as well. Roger Yant is part of a huge movement to have the issue placed on the ballot. Lancaster County, the the county that will lose the State Fair, had enough signatures. Seward County, the county that will house the State Fair, doesn't want it and they too had enough signatures. That speaks volumes. Put it on the ballot. We should have a right to vote. Everyone has that right. Thank you. "

 Thank God wrote on July 16, 2008 10:37 am:
" Seriously, move on! There are better and more important things to debate about other than a silly event that comes around ONLY once a year. If I witnessed this much energy (both negative and positive) towards issues such as health care, energy, the economy and the Iraq war, we'd be a nation better off from it. But no, some Nebraskans think that our state fair is the pinnacle of being "Nebraskan." Goes to show that some people's priorities are WAY off. "

 Soylent Green wrote on July 16, 2008 10:38 am:
" Just let it go! I'm already looking forward to applying for a new, hig paying tech job at the new research and development center... "

 To Erik wrote on July 16, 2008 10:42 am:
" If the fair moves, we'll be paying even MORE taxes. Do some research, yo. "

 Rod wrote on July 16, 2008 10:51 am:
" To rh...Let's remember it is the STATE Fair. Not the Lincoln Fair. The population base around Lincoln and Omaha let the fair die and rot but when the STATE gets it moved, suddenly Lincoln and Omaha care? To Yant and all the others suffering from sour grapes: the Legislature decided, now your initiative has shown--it's time for a change. "

 Outside the Box wrote on July 16, 2008 10:52 am:
" I think the most telling part of the failure is that it only did well in counties close to Lincoln. The rest of the state doesn't care and welcomes the chance to have a fair closer to home.

Time to move on. "

 Get the Facts Straight wrote on July 16, 2008 10:56 am:
" Erik, we are not paying taxes for the Fair in Lincoln. Please get your facts straight. The only support is from the 10% of the lottery money that goes to the State Fair. The State Fair belongs at its historic site. Why do the powers that be want to destroy such a historic site. It is not like we don't have other land for the so called Research Park. The University already had plenty of land for the Resarch Park. Yet the powers that be wanted the Fairgrounds for development so they can make a ton of money on it. They only paid $21.5 million for the Fairgrounds. Is that a FAIR price? Absolutely not!!! This land is worth way more than that. So the taxpayer got taken again. Why can't the Legislature and Governor stand up to these powers? This whole idea will be a huge cost to the taxpayer. If the Fair was left where it has been for over 107 years, there would not be any cost to the taxpayer. But with this move and the cost of the Research Park, and lost on the sale of this land, the taxpayer has lost $100s of millions of dollars. Where are the economic experts in analyzing this? I suppose Perlman told them to stay out of it. This whole thing is a sad sad day for Nebraska, for our history, and for our future. What agricultural state does not have a State Fair? Answer is none. Now beginning in 2010, we will not have a State Fair. But the powers that be do not care. They only care for themselves and the almighty dollar. What a sad state of affairs this is!!! "

 Sherri wrote on July 16, 2008 10:56 am:
" Sorry Roger to see the shortfall. Timing and lack of coordination may have been a part of your problem; you did not take advantge of county fair participants. There were signatures out there, you just didn't get to us. "

 mitchy_v wrote on July 16, 2008 11:12 am:
" It is a sad day when we see these groups don't get the support they expected and still continue to say that nobody wants the fair to move. The people have spoken, move on. "

 Ohhh well no worries wrote on July 16, 2008 11:19 am:
" Let Grand Island have it. It's worthless anyway. Lincoln will just do like Omaha and have their own "fair like" event during the same time as the Nebraska State Fair. Omaha has river city roundup... and Lincoln will do the same to cator to their people entertainment needs during labor day weekend. The fair will die in Grand Island. "

 as wrote on July 16, 2008 11:29 am:
" Can this tired subject NOW be put to rest finally? Honestly GI won't be able to financially support the fair & maybe with it gone, Lincoln will see what a mess UNL really is & grow beyond it's college town roots to finally move closer to the 21st century. "

 Barry Walker wrote on July 16, 2008 11:30 am:
" Finally it's gone. The fair was never really that good and I am sure GI will be able to do it better. Now bring on the Tech park and some better jobs to Lincoln. "

 I signed the Petition wrote on July 16, 2008 11:43 am:
" I signed the petition, and I'm a registered voter and all that jazz. I'm all for putting it for a vote, and I'm sad that it's not going to be voted on. I think the people should have the right to vote on everything, and I almost always sign every petition I'm asked to sign.

Having said that, I firmly believe that the Fair should move. The people whining about this move need to get over it. CLEARLY the Fair lacks support here in Lincoln. It is an Agricultural Festival in an urban setting. Why is it so hard to understand why that would fail? The Fair is a dinosaur, it has attractions that do NOT attract urban "customers," and it's absolutely no wonder it failed here. Had the people running the Fair realized that the bulk of their target audience, Lincoln and Omaha residents, have zero interest in cows, pigs, sheep and horses, they'd have adapted the Fair and put in attractions that would interest us. They didn't and the Fair failed. This is simple economics, people, not rocket science.

I wish the Fair well in Grand Island. I think it has a good chance to thrive there, I really do. I hope those who still love the Fair truly enjoy the move, and I hope that this is the best thing for everyone. "

 Kent Houseman wrote on July 16, 2008 11:50 am:
" Well do we put it out of it's misery now or let it have a slow painful death in GI? "

 JB wrote on July 16, 2008 11:55 am:
" To hard for "grassroot" orginazations. No money to pay petitioners and buy ads. Still waiting to see if GI has there money! "

 Let it go wrote on July 16, 2008 12:13 pm:
" The egos of the execs from the State Fair have caused this whole mess. This issue has been a sore spot for them ever since the County Fair moved from the state fair grounds. We need to support our county fair and make it as enjoyable as the state fair has been. Let the State Fair move to GI and die a slow death out there. "

 Roger not Yant wrote on July 16, 2008 12:28 pm:
" Gee, how unpredictable was that. Now Mr. Yant will have to find another cause to get his name in the paper. The whiners need to let it go. They shuould have been worried about it 4 years ago when the State gave the Fair Board a lot of lottery money to improve the Fair, and they did NOTHING! Good riddance, and if the same Fair Board is involved with the GI fair, it's doomed too. "

 asdfg wrote on July 16, 2008 12:39 pm:
" where was this petition, I would have signed. maybe the failure was because relied on volunteers and did not get it circulated enough. "

 Oh the HUMANITY wrote on July 16, 2008 12:39 pm:
" Watch out, the sky is now officially falling all because the supporters of the current state fair lost! Gees people, what you all need is a little "innovation." If you had some innovation in your tactics, maybe then you could have slowed down the eventual apocalypse of this from happening? (pun, sarcasm and irony intended)

The Unicameral settled this for us a long time ago. If you are so unhappy about it, vote out your state senator who went along this diabolical scheme you all cry foul on. If not, I hope you enjoy eating your crow. "

 MattS wrote on July 16, 2008 12:49 pm:
" You did get a vote! You VOTED for the people in office that said it was OK to move the fair. If you don't like how your representative VOTED for you, write them a letter, don't complain about it anonymously on a website. "

 Chris wrote on July 16, 2008 12:54 pm:
" I posted this in the comments under the Horsetrack article, but I'll post it here as well:

The state fair board sealed their fate when they decided not to negotiate with Lincoln and UNL and decided to take their ball and go to GI. The fair will wither away even more in GI b/c there isn't a population base to support it. In the mean time Horse racing will move to the Lancaster Event center with an exciting new track/simulcast and will continue their run of success. The Lancaster County fair will improve their offering to compensate for the lack of the State Fair in Lincoln. The Lancaster Co. fair has the possibility to turn into an Eastern Nebraska/Urban fair that will have more people through the gates than the State fair in GI. That could've have been the State Fair's fate, but as Harvey pointed out, the State Fair board is completely irrational, unwilling to change their offerings to appeal to the more urban population that Nebraska has become. Then, in case there was any question if the were irrational, they moved away from their population base. Bye Bye State Fair, you need Lincoln (or at least eastern NE), Lincoln doesn't need you. Good Riddance. "

 mitchy_v wrote on July 16, 2008 12:59 pm:
" Yes, let the State Fair move to GI and die a slow death. That way Lincoln can blame the death on GI instead of accepting that they are the ones who put the fair in this position. "

 To SW wrote on July 16, 2008 1:03 pm:
" Sorry, the State Fair is moving to Grand Island not Seward. GI is located in Hall county not Seward county. "

 I hope you are young wrote on July 16, 2008 1:42 pm:
" for the jobs generated by the research park will not happen for at least another 10 years. In the meantime Lincoln will be missing out on 27 million dollars a year in revenue from the fairground activities. What will make up this revenue? The new arena that we will be voting on :-). This was quite the master plan! "

 rh wrote on July 16, 2008 1:48 pm:
" it is truly a sad day for Lincoln. Yes the STATE FAIR is the NEBRASKA PEOPLE coming together for competition in all events but it is Lincoln who reaps the profits from added people in the city for 10 days.
And it is LINCOLN people who have to watch a few UNL control the land usage in and around Lincoln. Do we really need to be controlled by them?
They do not play well - they only think of their select few. Look at Whittier School, look at Cushman and look at all the RIF's that have taken place the last few years. Is this really going to bring lots of money to Lincoln? "

 Red wrote on July 16, 2008 2:23 pm:
" Well Soylent Green, I hope you are ready to wait 10 - 20 years before applying for one of these high paying tech jobs...it will be at least that long to get the area developed...
This issue, agree or disagree, still needs to be voted on by the people. The way this all played out seems very shady - "

 rondofox wrote on July 16, 2008 2:26 pm:
" No! I'll never let it go, never never never!! .....unless Roger Yant buys me a "pizza on a stick" from this year's fair. Then I will have experienced truly all the state fair has ever had, or will have, to offer. Then I'll stop moaning. :) "

 Chris wrote on July 16, 2008 2:27 pm:
" No, the state fair did this to themselves. First, they didn't adapt to the fact the majority of Nebraskans no longer are involved w/ agricultural livlihoods, and as such no longer care about agricultural events. Failure to adapt to the times. That is the first and foremost issue. Then, as a result, attendance lagged, infrastructure crumbled, and new sources of revenue were continually sought. The city of Lincoln and the state of Nebraska has an obligation to its citizens that valuable land in the center of the city be used for the 'highest and best' use. The State Fair is clearly not that, and what the University has proposed is, in the least, a great start. The State Fair was in a unique position to move to a new location and have the opportunity to reinvent itself in a way that would make it a more attractive event to the majority of Nebraskans. Further, they had tremendous support available to them from the University of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln, and the business leadership in Lincoln. Instead they pouted and said if we can't have the State fair grounds, then we aren't staying in Lincoln. Basically if they didn't get their way, they took their ball and went home like a bunch of juveniles. The State Fair board forced Lincoln to decide who they wanted to support: The University of Nebraska or the State Fair. Gee, I wonder what institution is more important to the Lincoln economy? As I said above: Good Riddance! "

 its about time wrote on July 16, 2008 2:46 pm:
" it is the volunteers fault. That is why they didn't get enough! "

 Alan wrote on July 16, 2008 2:48 pm:
" This was decided over 10 years ago. My senator was at the fore front of the effort to move the fair. I'm so, so glad that term limits have forced her out of office. "

 Alan wrote on July 16, 2008 3:38 pm:
" Roger is fighting the good fight. I can't wait for the other shoe to fall. Watch this space kiddies, this is about to get fun! "

 Me wrote on July 16, 2008 3:50 pm:
" I signed the petition not because I want it to stay in Lincoln, but it should be the voters choice. Also, we are hearing that Grand Island doesn't even have the money raised to move it to their city. I think the money Grand Island and Lincoln will be spending can be put to better use in our state. Lancaster Event Center or the old Air Force Base would have been a better choice - less money and less taxes. "

 Bill wrote on July 16, 2008 3:53 pm:
" 1. We are a Democractic Republic; we elect representative to make the decisions. We do not get a vote on everything.

2. Had the Fair not been moved, it would have died a slow and painful death. It did not survive on the Lottery money and the matching funds from the city of Lincoln. There is NOT one building on the Fairgrounds that would pass a current day inspection. Have any of you driven through the park lately. The consultants estimated close to $200 to fix the current location. There is a drain on the taxes we pay.

3. The buildings on the Fairground were insured for $171 Million. That does not mean that is what they are worth. I can insure my house for $10 Million. It does not change the fact that is is worth closer to $120,000.

4. The University only has to pay $21 Million when the property is worth so much more. Okay, charge the University 10 times that amount and who pays for it. The taxpayers. The property is owned by the State of Nebraska. Both the Fairgrounds and the University are State entities. It is called a trasfer.

5. The Fairground were not used. You can say that you have 1001 days of events per year, but you can only have so many flea markets and garage sales. How many of the buildings are used for the races? The Grand Stand and a couple of barns. What are all the other buildings being used for at the same time? Nothing.

6. The two main historical buildings are in worse shape and get less use than Whittier Junior High [a building that keeps getting brought up]. Window are broken, doors are plywood, the electrical could not pass inspection.

7. Had the Fair Board had anyone with Marketing experience, the place might have made a goal of it. They didn't and the State Fair should have been allowed to die in peace. Instead, people point their fingers to the Great and Powerful Perlman who decided he wanted the Fairgrounds and the Legislature gave it to him out of fear......Grow up. He and his staff came up with a plan that would better utilize the property and would be better for the State in the long run.

8. As part of the agreement when the Devaney Center was built on the Fairgrounds back in the early '70, the Fair Board gets the use of the building during the State Fair. During the 70's-90's there were some decent shows in the Arena. For the last ten years, the 15000 seat arena has sat empty during the fair. What kind of managment is that? "

 Development wrote on July 16, 2008 4:07 pm:
" Ten years to develop the State Fair land? Twenty? In what century would it take that long to develop this land? In four years, tops, they could have half of that land razed to the ground, redeveloped, replotted, and get buildings up and have people working.

If you people who are crying about the State Fair want to be taken seriously, start talking sense. "

 For Years wrote on July 16, 2008 6:46 pm:
" Lincoln didn't give a damn about the fair. They complained about the farmers driving on the streets and all the traffic. Now they can't have it they want it. Just like a spoiled kid. Good luck gi with the fair. Hope you have a good run. NOw for the innovation park. Who said it was a done deal. I thought the taxpayers had to have a say in this. I thought the city council had to put it to a vote. I guess I forgot it's nebraska and nothing gets voted on except in the legislature or council chambers. None of it is good for the taxpayers; One day soon the stupid city will be bankrupt and blame it on someone else. I personally can't wait for it to happen. "

 tried wrote on July 16, 2008 7:15 pm:
" i wish the petition would have been in more convenient places...two of us tried to signed it Saturday but it was already picked up. if someone could stood outside of walmart, i think they would have had their signatures. id go to the fair at least twice each year but i wont be going to GI...its too far. pay taxes for it every year? we're going to pay more to move it! this is ridiculous. "

 Hey Mr. Devlopment wrote on July 16, 2008 8:21 pm:
" This is a statement from UNL officials "The University said the Innovation Park will not be done for the ten to twenty years." Those were their own words!In the meantime, every year Lincoln and the state will lose 27 to 30 million dollars in revenue. How are we going to make up that shortfall???? "

 Weasel wrote on July 16, 2008 11:01 pm:
" While I am not a big supporter of the current state fair, all the tax dollars to move it to GI, and all the tax dollars to support it as it dies will strangle the state.

We paid for professionals to say that the fair needs to be in a population base of 300,000. This is why I am upset, we spent all this money to better the fair and now we are putting a massive business venture in the middle of nowhere. "

 dennis wrote on July 17, 2008 3:54 am:
" hey nebraskans how does it feel to be led around and told what to do by UNL, and for those that think there will high paying jobs for them they put down there drinks and stop smoking there wacky weed and open there eyes the only jobs there will be is what perllman & vison 15 will have available,because UNL gets there hands on the land that is who will control it,yes a few research buildings will be built the rest to private delvelpers,they will the ones who will benifit from this ,not the people of nebr., get some guts people unless you like being led by UNL by your nose,to bad UNL doesn't have term limits the state would be better off. "

 GI Guy wrote on July 17, 2008 7:12 am:
" I quit going to the state fair years ago when it turned into a siding/home repair show and cut back on agricultural displays. Grand Island will have a chance to keep it going for a few years, if they keep expenses low enough, but that´s highly doubtful they can draw enough people. The state fair, like the outdoor drive-in movie theatre and the dial land line phone, should be retired. "

 the solution wrote on July 17, 2008 7:29 am:
" Roger Yant can get a petition to put a casino where Devany is now and we´d be able to pay for the new area in HayMarket and make up the 30 million loss in revenue! "

 John wrote on July 17, 2008 8:53 am:
" Just let it go. Let the University, the State Fair Board, and the city of Grand Island begin the process of getting the fair moved and the research park going without the distraction of a few disgruntled Nebraskans. The state will be better off with the fair in Grand Island, regardless if it succeeds or not, and a research park in Lincoln. "

 Barbara Clegg wrote on July 17, 2008 9:27 am:
" I'm extremely disappointed that the petition drive failed, and hope FairVoteNebraska's next plans succeed. I have been to the fair every year I've lived in Lincoln, and my children have visited the fair every year of their lives. It's a family tradition. We get up close and personal with the horses and other livestock, and see baby pigs being born and baby chicks hatching. We soar on the rides at the Midway. The children ride on camels. We get ears of corn dipped in vats of butter and smoked turkey legs and pineapple whip cones and giant fresh limeades. Our children will be so sad to see it all go. My little girl has already told me she wants to buy a keepsake to remember the fair by. The fair provides an opportunity for city kids to get a taste of farm life. It offers about the only headliner concerts most people can afford. I understand that the University wants the land, but then move the fair elsewhere in Lincoln. As the petition drive showed, Grand Island doesn't even want the fair, as they don't want their taxes to go up. Why move it to a hostile environment? The people should have had a say. If the fair moves to Grand Island, it will die. And all those millions of dollars will have gone down the drain. Most Lincoln people I've talked to won't drive to Grand Island for it, especially with the price of gas. And Omaha people would be even less likely. Western Nebraska simply doesn't have the population numbers to support the fair. The Lancaster Event Center would be a logical choice, especially as it would be convenient for the large population in Omaha. The Nebraska State Fair is a Lincoln tradition and a huge loss for our city and our families. "

 Thank Goodness it Failed wrote on July 17, 2008 10:08 am:
" Some people just cant stand change!! this is a great thing all the way around to move it to Grand Island. I would drive from my town clear in Southeast Nebraska just to see how they do! Tech Park good, broken down, tired, ugly State Fair Park BAD!! Now get out of my face petition vote getters!! "

 Grundle wrote on July 17, 2008 1:42 pm:
" I have never gone to the Nebraska State Fair, but I can guarantee you that I will attend the first state fair held in Grand Island. "

 Yarrow wrote on July 17, 2008 3:11 pm:
" That the "issue isn't dead" is certainly true, given the army of vociferous whiners who can't stand change, or don't want to see the fair go elsewhere for largely personal (nor practical) reasons. I have to agree with John above, a research park--even one that's a few years away--trumps bad food, worse music and terrible traffic jams, and we can do it "without the distraction of a few disgruntled Nebraskans." If you love the state fair that much, you'll support it no matter where in the state it's held. The gas to drive to G.I. is still less energy than all the hot air the Yantonians have wasted on this lone issues. Time to hang it up, indeed. "

 Gonzilla wrote on July 17, 2008 3:13 pm:
" I can not believe anyone would be happy about the fair moving to GI. Professionals hired to show us how to make the fair better said that it needs to be in a population base of 300,000. Putting it out on a G.Island is going to kill it. "

 Limey Bitters wrote on July 17, 2008 3:25 pm:
" And don't complain to me about Lincoln losing tax revenue. With the state fair gone, we won't be afraid to shop (or drive, or eat) within 5 miles of the (former) fair grounds with all those out-of-towners packing into Lincoln and generally clogging things up for a week. Good luck, G.I. *snickers* And don't look our gift horse in the mouth. "

 mark wrote on July 17, 2008 4:30 pm:
" this is just what young professionals are hoping to see, and for the dustbowlers to not prevail is great. "

 dogma wrote on July 17, 2008 4:55 pm:
" To: Bill--Hear, hear!
I'm tired of people thinking we have to vote on everything. If you didn't want your elected official to vote to move the fair then why didn't you call/email/write your elected official and let them know? The unicameral is there to represent us, if they aren't doing the job then get off your high horse and vote for someone different. For far too long we've allowed one or two disatisfied people (most often from another state) to dictate what we should or should not vote on. "

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