OTTAWA — Franklin County commissioners showed little enthusiasm Monday for refereeing a dispute between the West Franklin High School FFA and the Franklin County Fair Board. FFA officials sent a protest letter to the county because they say the fair board banned FFA members from showing and exhibiting animals at this year’s Franklin County Fair. Commissioners said that since the two-county Frontier Extension District was created, the fair board is independent of the county commission and gets independent funding. The county will send a response to the FFA saying it has little authority in the matter but is willing to talk to the two sides, commission chair Steve Harris said. The FFA officials say that the fair board is worried that West Franklin FFA members could show in Osage County at the same time. The fair board has said it would issue a statement after their meeting tonight.
Monday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m.
