Mold issue grows at on County Fairground

April 20, 2008

The Times Leader,OH*

By KAY SEDGMER POSTED: April 19, 2008

CADIZ - Spring is usually the time for area folks to begin plans for

entering items for the annual county fair including flowers and

vegetables. This year something different has taken root at the

fairgrounds.

Members of the on County Fair Board said damage to the

secretary's office which occurred over the winter months has led to

an overgrowth of mildew. Apparently, strong winds blew the

building's flat-roof section off in mid-February and the interior

office and restroom/shower areas sustained water and snow damage.

The structure is now uninhabitable due to mold.

With the fair set for July 7-13 the board has approached the county

commissioners for assistance in rectifying the issue.

The commissioners own the building and had the roof replaced right

away at a cost of $17,500. The fair board contends the commissioners

have not been active in addressing the mold issue that resulted from

wet conditions in the inside of the structure. Mildew now clings to

the contents of the building and in the bathroom area which hampers

use of the structure during the upcoming fair.

Commissioners said the requests made by the fair board have not been

ignored. The commissioners have moved ahead with repairs and are

currently awaiting the results of a mold assessment before

proceeding with the cleanup process.

Commissioner Bill Host said the county's insurance provider is

handling the matter and a contractor from Columbus has evaluated the

building. The results of that study must be reviewed before any

decisions are made.

Host said until the results of the assessment are received the clean-

up process is on hold. " I've been told no one is permitted in the

building until that mold is removed, " he said. " They said the

process for the cleanup will be made through the assessment. "

He contends that he has talked with members of the fair board and

told them there is nothing to address until the report is made

available.

" I don't think everything will be done anytime soon, " he said. " I do

hope we can get it all fixed by fair time. "

Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@...

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