LEGISLATURE STUFF - Un-Romancing the Flittermouses

CATSKILL - It had to happen before the flittermice started flirtatiously flitting their eyes so Greene County Legislature members held a special meeting, earlier this month, related to the new Community Services center.

Lawmakers gathered to approve bids for initiating clearance of the site, in the town of Cairo at what is historically known as the Cairo Fairgrounds.

It was also subsequently agreed to go to bid on construction of the building that will house county Mental Health offices, currently located at Angelo Canna Park in Cairo, roughly two miles from the fresh spot.

Jorrey Excavating, from Middletown, was awarded the clearing job with a low bid of $107,000. They were one of eight bidders including the next lowest offer, just over $1,000 more. The high bid was $266,600.

The special session was called to avoid procreative interruptess, according to Freemann Project Management Services head August Freemann, overseer for the county on the multi-million dollar undertaking.

Workers needed to get going, “as fast as we can because we have bat season we have to get through,” Freemann told lawmakers

“We have to drop all of the trees before the mating season gets into full swing,” adhering to Department of Environmental Conservation tree removal limits between November 1 to March 31, Freemann said.

Work quickly commenced on the development that entails a 20,000 square-foot office building, 1,200-square-foot maintenance garage and 113-spot parking area adjacent to County Route 84.

County Administrator Shaun Groden has noted the project will require no bonding and will not raise property taxes, with money already set aside.

Lawmakers previously okayed purchasing the 16.85 acres for $475,000, a far cry from an earlier sale of lands that hold some historical significance.

The fabled Cairo Fairgrounds, “allowed Greene County residents engaged in agriculture to show off the fruits of their labor and hard work,” a William G. Pomeroy Foundation website states.

Their website continues, “the former Greene County Agricultural Society stated (Premium Book of the Rip Van Winkle Fair, 1934) that the Greene County Fair had been held annually in the Town of Cairo since 1819, but had been held at another site before 1870.

“The Cairo Fairgrounds began hosting the Greene County Fair in 1870 when, according to the Windham Journal…the Greene County Agricultural Society first leased the grounds for a ten-year period from a Mr. Seymour Adams for two hundred dollars a year. 

“Dear Old Greene County, a 1915 compilation of local history, claims Daniel Sayre, a prominent area resident in the early 19th century, was one of the first to exhibit premium grade cattle at the fair. 

“According to a pamphlet published by the Greene County Agricultural Society for the county fair of 1934, the event was renamed the “Rip Van Winkle Fair,” the website states.

“In addition to racing and agricultural activities, events at the fair in 1936 included 4-H club exhibits with cash prizes as well as a horseshoe pitching contest in which the winner advanced to the State Fair competition. 

“The Stamford Mirror-Recorder reported in 1936 that the fairgrounds were sold in a foreclosure proceeding,” the website goes on.

“It changed hands once again in 1961 when a group of horse riders from different parts of New York bought a 17-acre tract including the former grandstand and half-mile track from the Greene County Riding and Driving Club for a sum of $16,000.

“In 1974, the fairgrounds underwent a total transformation into a speedway for stock car racing. A new half mile clay race track opened on August 18, 1974, with a 35-lap feature event for modifieds, which was the standard distance of the time.

“Completely new concessions [stands], buildings, and concrete walls for the track were constructed. The operation included some big names in car racing of the era, including Ken Shoemaker, a racer for 25 years, and Tex Enright,” the website states.

The acreage has been desolate and overgrown for several years, marked by a distinctive blue-and-gold Pomeroy Foundation historic sign.

In the near future it will become home to the Mental Health agency which operates in an aged facility never intended for its present purpose.