I know many people boycotted the Ulster County Fair this year because the Fair Committee was forced to cancel the performance of the band Confederate Railroad. There were many people, like me looking forward to seeing the group that had six top 20 country songs in the 90’s.

As disappointed as I was, boycotting the fair did nothing but hurt the future of the fair. The Fair Committee and the Fair Manager did not cancel the band by choice. The County Executive would not allow Confederate Railroad to preform, even though they were under contract and, will still be paid. The only revenue that Ulster County receives,is from the lease. The Fair’s lease expires at the end every year. County Executive Ryan told the Fair Committee that if they allowed Confederate Railroad to preform, the County would not renew their lease. The Fair committee is made up of volunteers and profit from the fair goes directly back into maintaining and upgrades to the fair and fairgrounds.

Many people did boycott the fair this year, as attendance was down dramatically. The County, and the County Executive didn’t care. It didn’t hurt them. As I stated before, the boycott only hurt the future of the fair.

Hopefully, enough people will feel the same way and let their voices be heard at the polls. What we can do is get as many of our family, friends, and neighbors out to vote in November. The County Executive, and the County Legislators, are all up for re-election this November. That’s what you need to do to have your voice heard.