Fair manager fired

Great Northern Fair Manager Mike Sharp has been fired.

Hill County Personnel Manager Emily Meyer confirmed that Sharp’s employment was terminated last week by the Great Northern Fair Board. She said she could comment no further.

Alma Seidel, chair of the fair board, said she could say nothing about what happened. She said she would have to consult with County Attorney Gina Dahl to determine if she was allowed to say anything at a later date.

“I really, really would like to say something,” she said. “But I have to check with Gina.

“It’s important to keep everything legal,” she said. “I’ve learned that in the last five months.”

Seidel has been on the board for many years. She became chair after the death of Bert Corcoran, longtime chair, who died in April.

Sharp was appointed manager in April, succeeding Tim Solomon, who resigned.

Sharp was unavailable Monday. His voicemail was full and could accept no new messages from reporters who called seeking comment.

The decision to fire Sharp took place at an unannounced meeting of the fair board Thursday.

Seidel said Dahl told her there was no need to announce the board would meet since it was a personnel issue.

However, Mike Meloy, a Helena attorney for the Montana Freedom of Information Committee, said meetings still have to be posted, even if members plan on closing the meeting to the public once the session is convened. And, under a new state law, minutes have to be kept of closed meetings.

In compliance with state law, the board usually posts agendas at the courthouse and provides copies to local media.

County Commission Chair Mike Wendland said this morning he knew nothing about the situation. He said he was off Friday and Monday was a holiday so he was unaware of what might have taken place.