CLEARFIELD – Two years ago, Leon Meyer came to Clearfield County to be the fair manager. In that time, the county saw such events as Thrills in the Hills, Chrome at the Dome, car shows, Country Jamin’ the Valley and more added to the schedule at the Clearfield Driving Park.
On Thursday, Meyer’s contract is set to expire, and a change in duties that accompanied his new offer means that Meyer will not be extending his contract to work for the Clearfield County Fair and Park Board.
Meyer turned down an offer from the board recently to become the park manager and assistant fair manager, a change from his current position as fair manager.
That offer would have given Meyer a base salary with a percentage of commission on park event profits, according to information from Brenda Hunter, publicity director for the Clearfield County Fair and Park Board.
Statements in other news organizations reported that Meyer’s salary was to be reduced by 46 percent, but Hunter said, “I believe that the commission was not taken into consideration when stating the salary was cut by 46 percent. The difference in the base salary could be made up by working hard and having successful events.”
When Meyer came on in 2004, his major duty was to act as booking agent for grandstand entertainment.
“The commission we paid the talent agent in the past was to make up part of the manager’s salary,” said Hunter.
However, Meyer was assisted by a talent agent with whom he worked before coming to Clearfield County for the 2004 fair. That development was learned of by the board, and in subsequent years, they decided to work with a company more familiar to them. Therefore, in 2005 and 2006, the board utilized their own agent (not the same agent used by Meyer).
“It was determined that since the manager was not going to be booking entertainment for fair week that the salary needed to be adjusted, as this was a priority duty that the manager would no longer be performing,” Hunter said.
Meyer did receive his contracted salary during the time period even though the board took on the extra expense of a talent agent, Hunter said.
Recently, the board decided, in a close vote, to limit the position to that of park manager and assistant fair manager. A board member will now hold the position of fair manager.
Hunter said Meyer had wanted to remain a part of the fair operations, and the board compromised to offer him the duties of assistant fair manager. That was not the only problem with extending his contract. The other sticking point: his salary.
“The board felt that the percentage commission was a fair compromise to the adjustment in the base salary,” Hunter said. “The consideration of the necessity of contracting a talent agent was also a factor in the adjustment in the base salary.”
For now, Greg Hallstrom will serve as the fair manager until the board’s re-organizational meeting in January. At that time, the board will elect a fair manager, president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.
Hunter thanked Meyer for his dedication to the Clearfield community.
“He made a major difference in the agricultural area of the fair, and I hope that we as a fair board can maintain the changes and continue to move forward with the assistance of our department heads.”
She added, “I wish Leon all the best in his future endeavors and am personally sad to see him leave.”
As for the future of the fair, Hunter said, “The position of park manager will be advertised and filled as quickly as we can. The fair and park board realizes the importance of promoting the park and that a full time park manager is needed; not only for the benefit of the community but for the future of a 146-year tradition: the Clearfield County Fair. If the park continues to be unable to support itself financially, it will be detrimental to the fair as there are more expenses than income thus continuing to deplete overall funds.”
GantDaily Editor’s Note: Watch GantDaily for more on the board’s structure and finances.