The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-07-10
THE FAIR PROPOSITION

An election will be held on July %,
to determine whether or not the act
of the legislature authorizing Marion
county to operate fairs and exposi-
tions shall become effective.
Many of the voters are in doubt as
to how they should vote upon this
question, and these doubts arise
largely by reason of the confusing and
conflicting interpretations given to the
alleged proposal of the present own
ers of the fair property to make con-
veyance Thereof to the county, free
from all encumbrance, if the legisla-
tive act is ratified.
In the circular letter of the COM
mite of the Marion County Board of
Trade, it is stated that the owners /
Offered the fair property to the coun-
ty commissioners, if they would take
over and operate the fair" If this |
should be the consideration mention |
ed in the conveyance, and the object /
and purposes should be so specified !
therein, would not the county in effect |
hold the property in trust for fair |
and exposition purposes? Would it /
not create either a moral or legal OBJ !
legation to operate the fair perpetu- !
ally, regardless of consequences? 1t
is also stated in the circular referred |!
tc that "with the fair property decided
to the county without cost, without
encumbrances and without strings, it
becomes an asset upon which the
county could realize" Is it an asset
upon which the county could realize,
either by loan or sale, if the property
is to be conveyed to the county for
fair and exposition purposes only?
Again, it is stated in the circular
that the owners of the property on
June Goth adopted a resolution eau
thorizing and instructing it's officers
to deed to the county all of the fair
property free from encumbrances and
of debt. provided that the people ap-
prove at the election to be held on
July 22nd."
Does this mean that the owners
will, by good and sufficient warranty
deed, in the form usually made to a
bona fide purchaser, for a valuable
consideration, convey the property to
the county in fee, without any limita-
ton, restriction or specification as to
the purposes for which the property
may be used? Some who advocate the
ratification openly declare that the
owners of the property will convey
the same absolutely, and that the
commissioners will be free to sell and
dispose of the property in their dis
erection and apply the proceeds to gen.
eral county purposes, if in their dis
erection they should at any time deem
it best to discontinue county fairs
and expositions?
On the other hand, some opposing
ratification openly assert that the
owners will only convey the property
to the county for the uses and pur-
poses of fairs and expositions, and if
it should cease to be so operated, the
property would revert to the former
| owners.
Which contention is correct? How
can the voter intelligently cast his
ballot until this feature is made clear?
Are not the owners of the property
the parties to make some public dec
laration on the subject?
| It would clarity the situation very
much, and enable the voter to exer.
else more intelligent judgment in
casting his ballot at the election, if
the owners should promptly and pub
licly make direct and specific answer
to the following questions:
| 1. If the act of the legislature is
ratified at the election to be held on
July 22nd. is it your purpose and in
tention to forthwith convey as a gift
to the county the property usually
known as the fair ground property in
Ocala, without any restrictions or
limitations being Incorporated or i'm
posed as to the use or disposition by
the county authorities they may see
property to make of the same?
2. If the county commissioners
should in their judgment deem it I'M
wise to operate fairs or expositions,
or if after commencing such opera
tions they should deem it best for
financial reasons or other considera-
tions, to discontinue the same, is it
your intention and purpose, upon the
happening of such event, to claim or
insist that the property shall revert
to you, or is it your intention and pur-
pose, Notwithstanding the happening
of such event, that the county shall
retain full ownership of the property
to be held or disposed or as county
property free from any limitations,
reservations, or restrictions imposed
by you?
I refrain from taking any side or
expressing any opinion in this COM
munication as to whether or not it is