Fair Board Member Resigns From Post

Marian Lafollette, a member of the Orange County Fair Board of Directors, resigned her post this week to spend more time running her Northern California resort, fairgrounds officials said.

Lafollette quit in a Tuesday letter to Gov. Pete Wilson, who appointed her to the board in 1994, said Jill Lloyd, a spokeswoman for the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

The announcement of her departure was made public at Thursday’s fair board meeting. Lafollette did not attend the meeting and could not be reached for comment.

Wilson has not yet named a replacement to fill the remainder of Lafollette’s term, which expires in January 1998.

In other action at the board meeting Tuesday, members approved new guidelines for the freedom of expression area at the 105th annual Orange County Fair, July 11-27. State requirements mandate that the fair designate an area for ideologically motivated groups and causes.

The new guidelines require a fee of $20 a day for booth space on the Administration Lawn and $15 a day for arena locations. Previously there was no charge.

In return, the fair will provide a canopy, table, chairs and admission credentials for the groups. None of these items were provided in the past.

Also under the new regulations, organizations are required to provide proof of liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

An area in the fair’s main parking lot will allow groups to congregate without charge, Lloyd said.