Fair Board Adamant: Warsaw Mayor Not Being Cooperative
June 22, 2018 at 4:57 p.m.
Members of the Kosciusko County Community Fair Board fired back at comments from Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, denying his assertion that he’s tried to be helpful.
The claim is the latest volley in a series of comments amid a civil lawsuit in which property owners along Winona Lake are seeking to re-establish a ban on motorized racing at the fairgrounds race track.
The fair board began permitting racing at the fairgrounds three years despite an agreement with nearby residents dating back 28 years ago that halted racing.
The fair board claims revenues from racing is crucial to its future.
Loud noises and a few late-night events angered residents who have taken the matter to court. A temporary injunction issued in May has halted racing until the issue is resolved.
Earlier in the week, Thallemer, who lives on the lake near the fairgrounds, but says he has remained neutral, spoke about the chances for a compromise.
Thallemer also said the city has granted almost all alcohol permits needed for special events at the fairgrounds and been agreeable to other requests from the fair board for fair week activities.
But on Thursday, the fair board issued a statement questioning Thallemer.
In the statement, the fair board said it was “very reluctant” to make statements to the press, but “adamantly denies claims made by the Mayor that he has been cooperative or has been attempting to resolve this matter in a fair way.”
The statement was issued by fair board treasurer Sheal Dirck, and said the group will refrain from further comment while their request for a change of venue is considered.
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Thallemer, upon learning of the fair board’s statement, said he will let the courts decide the pending litigation.
“I stand by the accuracy of my response to the board allegation,” Thallemer said.
In court papers seeking a change of venue, the fair board alleged Thallemer was related to one of the four plaintiffs listed in the suit and contended Thallemer has been “openly opposed” in the manner in which many of the events take place at the fairgrounds.
Thallemer denied both claims.
The paperwork also erroneously stated that Thallemer lives in Winona Lake.
A request for a new judge in the case was approved in Kosciusko Circuit Court, but one has not been named yet.
Another request for a change of venue has yet to be ruled on as of this morning.
Members of the Kosciusko County Community Fair Board fired back at comments from Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, denying his assertion that he’s tried to be helpful.
The claim is the latest volley in a series of comments amid a civil lawsuit in which property owners along Winona Lake are seeking to re-establish a ban on motorized racing at the fairgrounds race track.
The fair board began permitting racing at the fairgrounds three years despite an agreement with nearby residents dating back 28 years ago that halted racing.
The fair board claims revenues from racing is crucial to its future.
Loud noises and a few late-night events angered residents who have taken the matter to court. A temporary injunction issued in May has halted racing until the issue is resolved.
Earlier in the week, Thallemer, who lives on the lake near the fairgrounds, but says he has remained neutral, spoke about the chances for a compromise.
Thallemer also said the city has granted almost all alcohol permits needed for special events at the fairgrounds and been agreeable to other requests from the fair board for fair week activities.
But on Thursday, the fair board issued a statement questioning Thallemer.
In the statement, the fair board said it was “very reluctant” to make statements to the press, but “adamantly denies claims made by the Mayor that he has been cooperative or has been attempting to resolve this matter in a fair way.”
The statement was issued by fair board treasurer Sheal Dirck, and said the group will refrain from further comment while their request for a change of venue is considered.
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Thallemer, upon learning of the fair board’s statement, said he will let the courts decide the pending litigation.
“I stand by the accuracy of my response to the board allegation,” Thallemer said.
In court papers seeking a change of venue, the fair board alleged Thallemer was related to one of the four plaintiffs listed in the suit and contended Thallemer has been “openly opposed” in the manner in which many of the events take place at the fairgrounds.
Thallemer denied both claims.
The paperwork also erroneously stated that Thallemer lives in Winona Lake.
A request for a new judge in the case was approved in Kosciusko Circuit Court, but one has not been named yet.
Another request for a change of venue has yet to be ruled on as of this morning.