EVANSTON — The conflict between the Uinta County Fair Board and local 4-H surrounding the Uinta County Fair continued at the Uinta County Commission meeting Feb. 6.

Local residents again shared their concerns and comments with commissioners following their January decision to discontinue contributions toward the salary of 4-H Educator Dawn Sanchez.

Local teen Ian Siegismund and his mother Jane Siegismund were the first to speak, sharing their support of the commissioners’ decision. Ian said the 4-H program had become totally dependent on one person and there was a need to get more people involved. He also said having 4-H leaders who were both educators and parents had caused difficulties.

“An educator has to put all kids first, not just your own kids,” Ian said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily mixed so well.”

Fair board member Steve Sims also spoke in favor of the decision and said 4-H had become too focused on certain individuals.

“If you’re in a select group, you’re taken care of very well,” Sims said. “If you’re not, you’re on your own.”

Sims said he thinks the county needs to heal and can’t do that if there is no trust and people continue to be split apart.

He concluded by saying, “I’ll leave you with one question; if the educator is doing a wonderful job, why are we even having these conversations?”

On the other side of the discussion, 4-H leader Nicole Simmons read from material she had written in advance. Simmons shared some of the accomplishments of the 4-H program in recent years, including launching a beekeeping program, starting to use Zoom technology to offer programs to kids around the state and the Cloverbud program for youth. Simmons said she disagrees with assertions that certain kids were receiving special treatment in 4-H.

“My kids work really hard to be successful,” she said. “To imply they get special treatment is unfair. They have nothing handed to them.”

Multiple people spoke in support of Sanchez and urged commissioners to reconsider their January decision. Multiple people also spoke in favor of the decision to discontinue Sanchez’ salary contribution. Just a portion of Sanchez’ salary had been coming from the county; she’s also on the University of Wyoming Extension Office’s payroll.

Bridger Feuz with the University of Wyoming Extension Office in Uinta County then again approached the commissioners with the salary contribution agreement for Sanchez’s salary. Welling moved to approve the contract; however, there was no second for his motion and it died on the floor, leaving the Jan. 2 decision — the decision not to pay Sanchez $18,000 semi-annually — in place.

Pictured:

4-H Educator Dawn Sanchez addressed both the commissioners and the audience during the Uinta County Commission meeting Tuesday. Sanchez said she hoped the community could find healing and move forward following recent conflict and controversy surrounding 4-H and the Uinta County Fair board. UINTA COUNTY HERALD/Sheila McGuire