Dear Editor,
Concerning the issue of removing the fairgrounds grandstands, I am one with fond memories of a fair with horse racing. In the 1960’s one could sit in the stands during the fair, and by taking along $30, you could make a $3 bet on ten races.
With ever so little luck you could leave with a little more than you brought and enjoy the races while resting from all the other activities. One year I left with $200. That would be over $2000 in today’s money. I also have the memory of the privilege of working for the secret service and escorting President John Kennedy to the podium in the middle of those grounds and standing for his protection and walking at his shoulder into the crowd (the place was packed to capacity) for his protection as he shook hands with the public in his bid for a second presidential term.
My first reaction when I read they were considering tearing that facility down was “OH NO” not that.
Times change. With the introduction of other forms of gambling and the area becoming more urban, the race fans became fewer and winning a ten dollar bet would only bring you perhaps $20. When I read how little the facility had been used the past years, I began to understand the commissioners thinking. What really turned me against the race horse owners was their attempt to use the courts and the National Historic registry to take the decision out of the hands of our County Commissioners. These Commissioners were elected by the people in Yellowstone County to look after our best interest. I am confident in their effort to research the issues and make the best possible decision on any given subject. If I am not happy with an issue, I am able to let them know, but, in the end, they represent what they feel is best for the entire county not just me. If our state and nation were run as efficient as Yellowstone County, it would be a far better place to live.
The race horse people are a tiny minority in the county. If they need a place to practice their sport, let them do what other horse people do – roping and whatnot. Build their own facilities further out in the rural area. That is what the car racing, tractor clubs and other recreational interests have done. It is not appropriate to try to force the taxpayers to spend millions to support their hobby. Do not tie the hands of our elected representatives to do their job.
Mack Delcamp
Billings, Montana
