Lineman Rodeo to be at Fairgrounds
BROKEN BOW - July 30 there will be power crews scrambling up and down poles at the Custer County Fairgrounds. Last Thursday, the Custer County Ag Society board agreed to allow Custer Public Power District (CPPD) to host a Lineman Rodeo at the Fairgrounds.
In a “Lineman Rodeo,” electric linemen from across the state compete in traditional lineman tasks and skills.
Trevor Roth with Nebraska Public Power has been with the Lineman Rodeo in Nebraska since its inception 13 years ago. “I’ve built a lot of friendships. You get to know people across the state,” he said.
The Lineman Rodeo has been held at the State Fairgrounds in Grand Island for the past several years, however, this year, the State Fairgrounds declined to hold the event.
“It’s an exciting thing,” Roth said. “There’s been more interest in teams and apprentices coming here (than Grand Island).”
Rick Nelson, CPPD General Manager, said CPPD has had teams participating in the event ever since it was held in Grand Island. Last year would have been the 8th year in GI, however, it was canceled due to the pandemic. This year will be the 9th year for CPPD participation, counting last year had it been held.
Nelson noted the CPPD team won the competition a couple of years ago. “We were pretty proud,” he said adding that CPPD beat teams from Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska Public Power and Omaha Public Power.
“Custer has been a part of this and we’re not going to let it die,” Nelson said. “We’ll do the work. I see the good my guys get out of it.”
CPPD has agreed to sink the needed poles, remove them and restore the ground. The event will most likely be held in the open area to the west and north of Trotter Arena.
Roth said the schedule has been condensed to one day due to COVID-19. In the future, it could return to a two or three day event. “I can see it coming back to Custer County
again and again,” Nelson said.
Board member Shane Ryan said he thought it was a great idea to have the event at the Fairgrounds. “Custer has helped us out over the years and never charged us,” he said. “They’ve fixed lights and brought in the bucket truck.”
In other agenda items, the board heard a request from Josh Call, promoter for the Free Style Bull Fights the Tuesday evening of the Custer County Fair, about a possible beer garden for the event.
Those in favor of the proposal pointed out that extra policing is part of the beer garden, as law enforcement makes their presence known. Asked what the biggest concern is, the board agreed it is the risk of underage drinking, not unruly patrons.
Dwain Bryner, Custer County Supervisor and liaison to the Ag Society, spoke against the proposal. “The fairgrounds is dedicated one week a year to youth,” he said. “Why bring it to them?”
Board member Rod Lamb said there would have to be zero tolerance,
“You’ve got to be 21. We’ll fence it off and police it hard,” he said. He also pointed out that alcohol is brought into the Fairgrounds by some of the people who stay there during fair. “But that’s not sponsored by the Fairgrounds,” Bryner pointed out.
The discussion was tabled with a request for Administrator Michelle Nelson and Josh Call to develop a plan to present to the board at a future meeting.
The board reviewed the final copy of the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. Board Treasurer Ira Spanel said fines and penalties have already been paid on last year’s filing saying that an amount is not yet finalized. “We can’t get any answers because of the COVID shutdown,” he said. The board will continue the discussion on whether or not to pursue of forensic audit at a minimum cost of $5,000.
The board discussed creating a committee to explore options for moving arenas or expanding arena use.