Health problems prompt Jilot resignation from fair board

Calvin Jilot resigned his position on the Great Northern Fair board five months after being brought on by the county.

Jilot, who is also a member of both the Chippewa Cree Business Committee and the Box Elder school board, said Thursday during a Business Committee meeting that he stepped down from the fair board as a result of unspecified “health issues.”

He would not go into further detail about what those issues were.

Jilot said he notified the board’s other six members by email the week before.

Hill County Commissioner Jeff LaVoi said he had hoped Jilot could have stayed on and that the opening created by his departure was posted by the county.

LaVoi said Monday that Jilot had done a good job during his brief tenure on the board.

Jilot said he is hopeful about the fair board moving forward, saying it has taken steps to improve the fairgrounds through revisions of policies as well as reaching out to new vendors and constituencies.

“I really enjoyed myself, I think they have a great group of really smart people who know what they are doing,” Jilot said.

In a press release dated June 2 confirming Jilot departure, Mike Wendland, chair of the county commission, said the commissioners will accept suggestions for appointments to that board until July 5.