Winneshiek County Board of Health gives advice to the Winneshiek County Fair Board--but stops short of saying whether the Fair ought to be held or cancelled

Members of the Winneshiek County Board of Health Friday afternoon unanimously approved a statement advising the Winneshiek County Fair Board it should follow guidelines from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in determining whether to hold a fair this summer.

The guidelines say that organizers must ask whether the safety of all the participants can be accomplished.  In that case, the event could be held, but if not, it should be cancelled.

Winneshiek County Attorney Andy Van Der Maaten Friday afternoon told Board of Health members they could give advice to the Fair Board, but they should not make a decision on whether the Fair should be held.  "Ultimately, that is the Fair Board's decision," said Van Der Maaten.  He also told Board of Health members that if they made decisions on behalf of the Fair Board, it would put the Board of Health "in a difficult position" and the requests wouldn't stop with just one organization.