ASOTIN - The Asotin County Fair Board is standing by its decision to dismiss the queen and princess over alleged contract violations.
Because the public has been clamoring to know why the two girls had their reigns cut short, President Peggy Hansford said the board voted unanimously to issue a statement, which she read to a crowd at Wednesday night's meeting.
"We are going to generalize the reasons for dismissal based upon advice of legal counsel and the need to continue to protect the royalty," Hansford said. "First, the actions and demeanor demonstrated by some of the adult family members raised concerns for the fair board of the safety and well-being of the queen and princess."
In addition, "excessive inappropriate communication," including verbal attacks and text messages, factored into the decision. The behavior was in violation of a contract signed by the girls and their parents, Hansford said.
"Lastly, the directions and efforts of the fair board were met with defiance. ... Our main focus was and will remain the need to protect the safety of the queen and princess."
The packed room was silent when she finished reading the statement, and the board continued with regular business related to the Asotin County Fair and Hells Canyon Rodeo. The events take place during the last weekend of April and volunteers are in full swing to get the grounds ready.
After about an hour, the president adjourned the meeting.
Community members, including family members of dismissed 16-year-old queen Lyvia Jackson, wanted to know whether the board was going to make a decision on reinstating the royalty, as stated at a previous meeting.
Hansford said the statement was the only thing being offered by the board. Along with Jackson, Princess Racheal Spinelli also was dismissed.
After realizing the panel had no intention of reversing its earlier decision, several voiced their objections. Asotin Police Chief Monte Renzelman then asked the crowd to clear the room.
Shawn and Heather Jackson, the queen's parents, said they are considering their options.
"We're not happy with this result," Shawn Jackson said. "They didn't take any responsibility for the way the program is run. They blamed it on the parents and they kicked the girls out without talking to us. They gave them two choices: quit or resign."
The Jacksons said they came to the meeting hoping to mend fences and offered to help develop a new royalty program, but the board didn't accept the proposal.
"This turned into something more like sorority hazing," Heather Jackson said outside the annex. "It wasn't a nurturing program. And those girls were dismissed in a closed session, even though the board is trying to say otherwise. We had no idea what was going on. I would've never gotten involved if I knew it was going to be like this."
At this point, the board doesn't have any royalty lined up to represent the fair and rodeo when the parade rolls through Asotin next month. Try-outs were announced earlier this month, but no one submitted an application to step into the role on short notice.
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Sandaine may be contacted at kerris@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2264. Follow her on Twitter @newsfromkerri.