Op Ed Response to Journal Star State Fair Column

Friends,

Below is a response I have submitted to the Journal Star in response to the Journal Star Editorial Board's recent column on the state of the State Fair discussion as found at:

Respectfully,
Philip Erdman

Dear Editor:

I must take issue with the conclusions of the Journal Star Editorial Board in your Feb. 4 editorial entitled "Moving to Next Phase on State Fair." Specifically, the editorial states "At the Legislature and elsewhere, decision-makers are no longer spending much time discussing whether the fair should move. The operative question now is where."

That assertion is not accurate. The question of "if the fair should move" has yet to be answered. However, discussions are underway to explore whether a resolution is possible in which both the State Fair and the University can prosper. That is what the shotgun marriage is for which they referred.

A number of legislative bills have been introduced to reach a determination this session on the location of the State Fair. There are many questions yet to be answered, not the least of which is that the commitment of public and university resources for its development and operation of the proposed innovation campus are unknown. My conversations with Nebraskans confirms they want both a successful State Fair and University, but not at the expense of one another.

The State Fair Modeling Study completed by HOK Smith Forkner provides guidance on selecting a suitable location for an ideal state fairground. It is incorrect to infer that the study itself reached any conclusion that moving the state fair was a preferred course of action. If any conclusion can be inferred from HOKÕs work, it is that upgrading the fair at its current location may be the most cost effective approach - if the welfare of the state fair were the only consideration.

The editorial suggests that the State Fair Board has conceded that relocation is inevitable. Again, this is more of a reflection of the hopes of some than a statement of fact. I know the Fair Board is willing to consider relocation, if the money to relocate is available and an alternative site provides an opportunity for success. At the same time, the Fair Board is very interested in staying at the State Fair Park - where they have been for 107 years. It has been my objective as chair of the Agriculture Committee, with jurisdiction on this matter, to preserve opportunities for the fair to realize its potential Š including allowing the fair to remain at its current site. Again, they are willing to consider other opportunities if they are the right opportunities for the state fair.

I believe strongly that we need to arrive at a resolution on this question this year. Continued speculation and uncertainty about the location of the State Fair impairs planning and progress not only of the Fair Board but other venues that are affected by that potential. Such a decision should not be made without understanding that there will be risks and possibly costs for citizens of this state down the road. Those impacts my be avoided or mitigated through a thoughtful resolution.

The hearing for the legislative bills regarding the State Fair will be held on February 26th at 1:30 pm at the State Capitol in Room 1524. I encourage all interested Nebraskans to participate in this discussion.

Sincerely,
Senator Philip Erdman
District 47