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“When I came here, there were some people who wantedto hang me/* recalled Gray, flashing a smile that indicated that bygones should be bygones. “They didn’t even take thetime to get to know me, including the fact that I grew up in this county.“But on reflection, I think it was more about the position than the personality and people take a really personal interestin their county fair — as it should be.”Former El Dorado County supervisor, Jack Sweeney,who is known for his strong suppor t of the county fair, told the Democrat he thinks Gray has done a commendable job running what newspaper readers consistently vote as the top annual special event locally.“She’s done a good job and she’s a good leader/’ Sweeney said. “And I believe she’s done a good job keeping the fair’s budget in line, when there' is no county money in. their budget. I don’t think a lot of people realize that fact.“And the money that local fairs get from (California) Fairs and Expositions has been substantially' reduced over the years so Jody was forced to run the fair more like a bu siness than as what I think was intended,” Sw'eeney said.Sweeney added that while he still believes the county fair’s primary purpose is to “show off the local community,” heunderstands that adjustments had to be made.What Jody has done, while I’m not always happy aboutit, is to give the fair a theme park atmosphere, if you will, along with features to show off the community. I would liketo see more community emphasis... but that costs money.”Staying on trackGray said the rough beginning at running the El DoradoCounty Fair didn’t keep her from plunging ahead on the path before her.“I do love my job and it’s because of the challenges it presents.” she said. “I like to be challenged — it’s part of mypersonality. That’s why I. think I recently took, up cutting horse competition.Fellow horsewoman Ola Simmons of Somerset, who has known Gray for a decade, said she is struck by Gray’scompetitive spirit... Simmons, 57, recently sold Gray her horseGambler, which she rides in cutting horse competitions, Gray’s most recent undertaking in the equestrian world.“Jody tries to learn as much as she can as fast as shecan — and she can be hard on herself at times,” said, rancher Simmons. “She’s driven to learn and do what it takes to be the best at whatever she is doing,”After saddling Scotty under a stunningly blue May sky,Gray paused in her narrative to gallop her quarterhorse slowly along a pasture at her sister Carolynne Knisley’s Pointed
Newspaper Details
Village Life
Placerville, California, US
Wed, Jun 12, 2013
Page 60
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CA, USA 24 Jan 2022
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