Daughter: Name removal was petty

To the editor:

On July 11, 2022, The Commercial Review’s front page story was about Robert Lyons and my father, Tom Zimmerman. 

Both were honored for their years of service on the Jay County Fair Board. Prior to the announcement, I was aware that it was going to happen. Dad’s name was eventually added to the maintenance barn.

Dad took it upon himself to secure a used awning from a local business and added it to the barn. He’s always taken much pride in the appearance of the grounds and buildings on the fairground property. 

He and my mom didn’t serve on the fair board for 35 years for any accolades. Dad was president of the Jay County Fair Board for 19 years; I believe their longest serving president. In 2014, he was inducted into the Indiana Association of Fairs (INAF) Hall of Fame. He also served as the INAF president in 2010. 

Dad and my Grandpa, Lowell Zimmerman, did the restoration and electrical work inside of Floral Hall in 1982. Dad was instrumental in driving many improvements at the fairgrounds, including restrooms, a roof over the grandstand and a paved midway, just to name a few. As president, he managed the finances and always tried to make smart decisions, choices that would allow for the grounds and events to continue to grow and flourish. On Sundays after church, we used to drive through the fairgrounds just to make sure that everything was in order. Prior to cell phones, if I needed my dad for something, I could most often find him at the fairgrounds. 

I’m not writing this to brag. I am extremely proud of my dad! He is modest and didn’t work tirelessly for attention. He did it as a service to his community. Thirty-five years, thousands of hours of hard work at the fairgrounds, improving the grounds. He once stated that it was worth the pride that it brought to the community and seeing people smile. Though he is no longer a member of the fair board, he continues upkeep at the fairgrounds because of the current board’s lack of consistency.

I learned this past weekend that his name was removed from the maintenance barn. The July front page of The Commercial Review stated “the board voted to honor them by making their names permanent fixtures on the grounds because of their years of dedication …” referring to my dad and Bob Lyons.

I personally contacted fair board members Aaron Loy and Trent Paxson inquiring why dad’s name was removed. 

Several days after initially submitting this letter, I received a response from Aaron Loy. He stated that my dad spoke “negatively” and “extremely poorly” about the fair board and that “he was given multiple warnings” regarding his comments. He also stated “Tom was spreading misinformation to the commissioners about the fair board and it’s doings.”

Freedom of speech is the right to express opinions and ideas without fear of censorship, retaliation or legal action. Common sense leads me to believe that my dad expressed opinions others disagreed with and therefore the Jay County Fair Board retaliated. After 35 years as an active and successful fair board member, I believe dad might know a thing or two.

I’m betting if I were to drive through the fairgrounds, no other former board members’ names have been removed from the position of honor that they were given. 

Frankly, it doesn’t matter if dad’s name is on the maintenance barn. What I don’t understand is how you can honor someone and thank them for their many years of service and then change your mind. Dad’s name on the barn, in his opinion, only helped people know where to find him. 

In addition, most people know the level of his servitude. His years of service made the tasks of the current board members so much easier. 

Despite the blatant disrespect you’ve shown my dad, he continues to care about the appearance of the fairgrounds, but it is out of his hands now and it shows. Petty.

Lea Ann McClung

Connersville