From the Nevada County Union: http://www.theunion.com/news/7174984-113/board-fair-elephant-elephants
Nevada County Fair board to revisit elephant controversy
A hugely controversial decision by the Nevada County Fair board to continue with a contract for elephant rides at this year’s fair will be revisited.
Nearly 40 people spoke at the board’s last meeting, on June 20, in a hearing that stretched for almost two hours. But none of the fair board members made a motion to cancel the contract with Have Trunk Will Travel, which is providing two elephants for local children to ride at this year’s fair Aug. 7-11.
The decision by the board members to allow the contract to stand without any discussion drew a great deal of vocal displeasure from some in the community.
On Monday, about 100 people attended a meeting in Grass Valley to discuss the issue and organize protest plans.
Nevada County Fair CEO Sandy Woods said previously that the organizers for the Nevada County Fair thought that elephant rides would be a fun addition to this year’s theme of “Under the Big Top.”
But the board of directors’ decision to contract with Have Trunk Will Travel generated a massive amount of controversy.
On Wednesday morning, Woods announced that the Have Trunk Will Travel contract will be on the agenda for the Fair board meeting on Tuesday, July 16; the meeting is at 4 p.m. in Ponderosa Hall.
For more on this story, check back with The Union.
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