By Jessie Burchette

Salisbury Post

Operation of the county fair will be open to private companies as well as nonprofit groups both inside and outside Rowan County.

And the company or group could apparently be required to hire large numbers of deputies for security at a rate to be set by Sheriff George Wilhelm.

County commissioners, meeting Monday night, will review a draft request for proposals to operate the fair starting next year.

The proposed qualifications questionnaire asks about prior bankruptcies, requires a list of personnel and specifies that criminal background checks are to be provided on all staff and volunteers.

The proposed questionnaire also asks the company or individuals to specify plans for charitable benefits or investment in the community.

Proposals to operate the fair will be due by Jan. 15.

In their agenda packet, commissioners also got a letter from Wilhelm dated August 2003. In the letter, the sheriff recommended tying security to the attendance and consumption of alcohol. He went on to suggest that security be part of a greater ordinance "regulating the use of the fairgrounds, i.e dress code."

Wilhelm offered a two-page proposed ordinance that specifies the sheriff would determine adequate security and the rate of pay and suggested a schedule to determine a minimum number of officers based on attendance. For example, an event attended by 25,000 people would require 11 officers, or 15 if alcohol is served.

Commissioners never publicly discussed or adopted Wilhelm's suggestions.

In other matters the board will:

* Discuss ongoing efforts to get a traffic light or provide other traffic safety measures on N.C. 152 at the entrance to Carson High School.

During the past week, commissioners have received and exchanged extensive e-mails on getting the N.C. Department of Transportation to act, or to find some way to take action on the county level.

Pat Ivey, a division engineer based in Winston-Salem, wrote that the 45 mph speed zone will be extended. But Ivey said counties have no statutory authority over speed limits on state roads.

Ivey also notified the county that equipment for a yellow warning light has been ordered and will be installed on receipt.

* Conduct a quasi-judicial public hearing on a request by Nelson Lingle for a rezoning of 3 acres of property in the 2500 block of Sherrills Ford Road from rural agricultural to commercial, business, industrial with a conditional use permit to allow for construction of mini-warehouses for storage.

Some commissioners met with county staff on the site earlier this month.

The county Planning Board voted unanimously in favor of the request at its September meeting.

* Consider approval to accept donation of equipment to emergency services. The state grant would provide a two-way radio base station in 10 Piedmont counties.

* Hold a discussion regarding county manager's position.

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners meets Monday at 4 p.m. in the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Meeting Room, County Administrative Offices Building, 130 W. Innes St.

Contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254 or jburchette@salisburypost.com.