The political infighting in Fairfield Bay is hurting real businesses.
A lemonade vendor was reportedly kicked out of an event at the Fairfield Bay mall for a fundraiser for animals over the weekend. It happened after Mayor Jackie Sikes complained to health department officials amid her dispute with the Fairfield Bay Community Club.
According to Rowley, a man claiming to be from the health department told him he could not operate because he lacked a mesh screen for his booth.
We reached out to Fairfield Bay Mayor Jackie Sikes (who is up for recall election on November 5th) via email and are awaiting her explanation of the situation.
The event organizer mentioned that Mayor Sikes had intended to send Police Chief McCool to inspect the vendors. However, the organizer clarified to the mayor that vendor inspections were the responsibility of the health department, not the police chief. About 45 minutes later, an unknown health inspector told Rowley he could sell his kettle corn but not his lemonade, the event organizer said many were left thirsty.
Rowley stated that he has participated in numerous festivals and fairs without issue, including the White County and Independence County Fairs, the 4th of July Beats and Eats in Searcy, Get Down Downtown in Searcy, Pioneer Days in Melbourne, and Batesville’s Christmas event, White River Wonderland. He is also scheduled to appear at the upcoming King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena.
Just Days After Announcing An “Economic Development” Plan
This dispute comes just days after Mayor Jackie pictured herself with her favorite candidates running for Fairfield Bay city positions as part of Jackie’s anti-Community Club platform.
Jackie posted a picture of herself holding a $10,000 that is part of her “economic development” plan as she goes after the Fairfield Bay Community Club. *Yet she’s kicking out vendors that are conducting business in the mall. [UPDATE: Mayor Jackie Sikes said she did not call the Health Department but did not deny she called the event organizer, according to her Facebook post].
Leta Ruple, Dave Wysocki, Michelle White, and Richard Matthews are also joining Jackie Sikes by running for city positions with an anti-Community Club platform:
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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