Fair award: best improved

To the Editor:

I am writing you to inform you that the Sons of the American Legion had a booth at the Oxford County Fair this September 12-15. I have been to the local county fair almost every year for the past 25 years since moving to the Oxford Hills area.

Other members have also lived in this area and have had experience with the Oxford County Fair over the years.

Over the last few years I, as others in our group, have seen the fair diminish itself in the eyes of the local population as well as in our eyes.

The high prices in a poor county and the snub to the local schools by not even remembering the Kids' Day two years ago because the leadership was too busy doing other things.

Generally, the lack of respect and dedication to the people of the county reflected poor attendance and poor opinions.

Now comes 2012 Oxford County Fair. A magical change in philosophy has transformed this fair in just one year. You can check the attendance records as an indication of the change if you so choose. I do not have them.

However, I observed an interesting and significant atmosphere this year. The prices dropped, the vendors increased, the people came and the overall pleasing comments by hundreds who visited our booth and other booths tells me this fair has significantly increased itself in respect and a renewed dedication to the fair and the people.

There is a permanent restaurant building on the grounds near the pulling building. On the wall of the inside is a 2001 or 2 sign proudly stating the Oxford County Fair was voted the most improved that season.

I would submit that the Oxford County Fair has earned that designation again. I base this on not only my observations and the observations of the people in my group, but from the general public overall responses when I or the others in my group questioned them.

So, to the point of this letter, I do not know what awards, recognitions or other protocol that might be out there but certainly "best improved" would be at the top of the list. The work done by the leadership should be recognized.

Nelson "Skip" Foley

1st Vice Commander

Squadron 112 Anderson-Staples Post 112