Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1894-01-17

Association. which, in substance,
was that several years ago an asso-
citation of Alpena people was Or
ganized, known as the Alpena Trot-
ting Association. 1t entered into
contract with the Agricultural So
ciety whereby the control of the fair
grounds was placed with the Trot-
ting Association, except the week
on which the annual fair was held,
and for that lease paid one dollar
per year, besides agreeing to con-
struct a good half mile trotting
track and erect a grand stand. The
Trotting Association built the track,
and erected the grand and judges
stands, the amount thus expended
being over s., 900. The investment
has proved great loss to the Trot-
ting Association stock owners, as
only one dividend has been paid,
and many assessments have been
made during the past few years.
The lease between the two societies
had now expired, and the question
that Mr.. Churchill brought before
the society was with reference to
making a new lease with some trot-
ting association. The reason horse
men has taken such interest in the
annual meeting was now evident.
The present condition of the So
ciety is that it owns a valuable
tract of land, beautifully situated,
containing between 80 and 40
acres, about one mile from the bus
mess part of the city. On the
grounds are the fair buildings, sheds,
grand stand, judges stand, and a
half mile trotting track in good |
condition. The buildings are not
of great value. The grand stand is
in a dangerous condition, and is La
bic to collapse when full of people,
in which case there would be great |
damages to be paid that would wipe
out the society financially. The
track could not be replaced at an
expense of $4,000. The grounds
are fenced and a large portion clear
ed and stumped. We consider the
property owned by the Agricultural
Society worth $40, 900, against which |
there is an Indebtedness of only ST.
200.
The new trotting association,
which is to be organized, will ask
for a renewal of the lease on similar
terms as the old one, for a period of
fifteen or twenty years, as near as
we have been able to learn.
After discussion on the subject,
James Napier, of Wilson township,
moved that the directors be empow-
cred to enter into a contract with
some trotting association for leas-
ing the grounds. The question was
supported by Messrs. j. Rensberry,
L. Azure, w, Gavagan, +. Lacomb
and other farmers, and was then
carried.
The motion did not state the terms
and conditions of the lease, and that
question is left to the directors, who
were elected as follows:
City of Alpena-G. Burton, w. L.
Churchill, j. M. Johnston. S. A.
Dawson, J. Richie, j. D. Dunlop,
E. o. Avery, c. w. Richardson, II.
d. Churchill, j. A. Widner, r. A.
Cradle, and f. L. Richardson.
Alpena township-Walter Cav
agan and Frank Lacomb.
Maple Ridge-Francis Bowling
and j. d. Titus.
Long Rapids-D. r. Martindale
and Chas. Heating.
Green-G F. Fowler and L. j.
Sylvester.
Wilson-James Napier and
Lewis Azure.
Sanborn-E. G. Sanbprn and
j. L. Sanhorn.
Ossineke-George Stovel and
William Ferguson.
A majority of the directors being
horsemen there is no doubt that
lease will be made, and we under
stand that the proposed trotting as
ISOLATION will spend at least $4,000
in improving the track and erect
ing new grand stand that will be
much lager than the present one.
We believe the leasing of the
grounds to the trotting association
will be the best thing the Agricul-
tural Society can do, providing the
lease is just and fair to both asso-
Citations. The trotting association
will have complete charge Of the
grounds, except during the fair
week, and will receive all rentals
from lease of the grounds to circuses
and such occasions as the Fourth Of
July, and on their part they should
be liable for keeping the society
buildings in as good repair each
year as when turned over to the
charge of the trotting association.
The track at fair time should be in
good condition, so that the Agricul-
tural Society will not be put to
great expense in making repairs.
The trotting association will get I
possession Of q valuable property
for at least fifteen years, and will
have no taxes to pay on the same,
and we trust that better luck will
come to the stock owners than dur
ing the past. Let the agreement
be fair and just to both parties.