TF man unhappy with demo derby

A Thompson Falls man has continued his displeasure at the way the Sanders County Fair Demolition Derby is being handled by the fair commission and the contracted promoter.

Rick Sanders, a veteran demolition derby driver, provided the board with nearly a dozen questions with his concerns with the derby, including an accusation that last year's promoter, Tim Denson, and his help were drinking alcohol while inspecting the cars. He also stated that Denson allowed cars in the competition that had not met the requirements.

Fair Commission Chairman Randy Woods said there was no proof about the drinking and he knew about the illegal cars and would be addressing the problem with the promoter before the derby this year.

"You keep asking the same questions over and over and over and we keep answering you. We can't do nothing about what happened at the demo last year, it's already done, it's over," said Woods. Sanders also said that Denson had been hired without the Sanders County commissioners' approval and without public comment, but Woods noted that it had been brought up at a public meeting and that the commissioners and the county attorney see all contracts.

Sanders had been interested in the job, but said they selected Denson before he had the chance to apply. However, Woods said he had the same opportunity as anyone else and did not put in an application. Sanders has built derby cars since he was 14 years old and has been a derby participant for 44 years in Montana, Idaho, and Utah. He disapproves of the rules Denson has put forth.

"Building cars to the class four rules that have been implemented at the fair cost about $10,000 to compete competitively for the large purse they are paying out, $30,000 for that class," said Sanders. The class two rules that they are running is more stock, but they are only paying out $6,000 in payouts, which you're still spending $3,000 to compete in that. A lot of local drivers want it to be easy, inexpensive to build, to be able to enjoy the sport and for it to be fair for everyone," said Sanders, who added that the board is paying too much of the county tax dollars to pay Denson to put on the derby. Woods replied that taxpayers' money goes to pay for the fairgrounds upkeep and that all the money that goes to the fair comes from ticket sales and other revenue at fair time. "The promoter has not done anything more than the fair board or theLions Club had done for the derby in the past years for less money," said Sanders.

Cars for the derby had been dwindling over the past five years, but it was up to nearly 30 last year. "We have one of the biggest demo derbies in the northwest and that's what we want," said Woods.

Eight people showed up for the monthly fair board meeting last Wednesday at the fairgrounds pavilion, including Commissioners Tony Cox, Dan Rowan and John Holland. At the meeting, Fair Manager Melissa Cady said that Paradise Amusements is adding two new rides this year and that there might be a bouncy house for the young kids to use. The manager said they are also looking for candidates for this year's Sanders County Community Service Award, which includes being the fair parade's grand marshal. Cady said people can get applications from the fair website.

The board unanimously approved amending the board bylaws that would require a person to put in a written request to be on the new business agenda at least a week prior to the meeting. The request would be a brief description of the subject and how much time they anticipate needing. Woods said this would help board members be prepared.

The fair board approved a request by board member Kim McMahon that she form a focus group to look into improvements of the Front River Park, which was placed under the jurisdiction of the fair board last year. McMahon said the boat launch needs work, they need better signage and they need to erect a building to store equipment used solely for the river park. She plans to look into the possibility of grant money, but she needs to first develop a plan.

The board also discussed a request from Sanders County Undersheriff Jerry Johnson for an estimated $9,000 for complete coverage by his deputies during fair week. However, Cox said that the commissioners would instead look at raising the sheriff's office budget for the next fiscal year. Woods said that he has looked into the idea of using Griz Security or hiring officers from the Hot Springs Police Department, where he is mayor.

The board approved a request to increase payments for the 4-H livestock judges – beef, dairy, sheep, goats, and swine – from $100 to $200. Judges for poultry and rabbits would remain at $100 and cat judges would still get $50. Judges for the home economic competition are volunteers from around the county, said Juli Thurston, who heads the 4-H program in Sanders County.