Since You Asked: Will loss of state funding end fair?

Q: With the loss of state funding, I'm concerned the Yuba-Sutter Fair could be shut down in the future. What are the chances this could happen?

A: Actually, the Yuba-Sutter Fair is in decent financial shape, according to the fair's chief executive officer, Regina Goody.

"Obviously, we lost money, but I think we're going to be fine," she said.

Goody acknowledged that the loss of state and local government money over the last two years has presented significant challenges.

"There are over 70 fairs every year (in California) and we all knew this was something that was going to happen," she said. "Planning started with my predecessor, and we started putting money in reserves more than eight years ago."

Exact numbers were not available, but Goody pointed to generous donations and said smart business decisions have kept the fair from sinking.

The CEO said that renting out the fairground facilities for private functions such as weddings, parties and other community events has been profitable.

"The buildings were rented out every weekend this year," Goody said.

Fair supporters are hoping recent expansions and updates to the arts and crafts exhibits will help draw in more people.

"And we're always accepting donations," she said.

Anyone wishing to help the fair out can contact The Friends of the Fair at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds main office in Yuba City.

"Unless something drastic happens, we should be fine," Goody said. "Certainly for this year and probably for the next few years at least."

Will campaign signs come down?

UPDATE: When will Julius Engel take down his campaign signs?

Late last week, Engel said his signs would be removed "in the next few days."

The former judicial candidate from Sacramento lost a three-way race in June for the Yuba County Superior Court bench. Yuba County Public Defender Ben Wirtschafter won the race.

While many of Engel's signs came down within the required 10- to 15-day period, many others remained.

Engel said recently the remaining signs would be coming down, hopefully this week.

"I contacted a private group to put them up and take them down," Engel said. "They just told me they'd take care of it straight away, so maybe give it a few days. If not, I'll call them again."

Engel said he could not remember the name of the sign placement company he hired.

Since You Asked is published on Mondays. Send questions to reporter Rob Parsons at the Appeal-Democrat, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive, Marysville, CA 95901, email him at rparsons @appealdemocrat.com or call 749-4785.