The future of Fairfield Market Days may be uncertain as the City of Fairfield looks for a new coordinator to run the monthly shopping event.
“When presented with an unreasonable contract, compared to what I’ve been doing for the past four years, I decided it was time to resign,” says outgoing Market Days Coordinator Darlene Jones.
“We found out today after contacting her [Darlene Jones] that she will not continue with Fairfield Market Days,” says City Administrator Jeff Looney.
According to the City Administrator, written guidelines were given to Jones during their meeting last week, which outlined what the City of Fairfield expects the Market Days Coordinator to carry out. He felt the meeting went well, noting that Jones had accepted her check for the weekend event.
“I did run this last Market Days,” she says. “I have so many loyal vendors, that I couldn’t just leave them hanging; but I did inform them that it would be my last event. I’ll miss them. We were like a big family.”
It was not until Monday, January 29th that Looney was informed of Jones’ resignation.
The previous Monday, January 22nd, City of Fairfield Council gathered with Mrs. Jones and several regular vendors of Market Days to brainstorm ideas on how to make the event more profitable or if it should be done away with.
Several ideas were tossed around and a few tempers were raised slightly; but at the end of the meeting, the understanding was that there would be a review of event rules. Later that week, Mrs. Jones would meet with City Administrator Jeff Looney to discuss those possible changes.
“When I arrived for our meeting,” explains Mrs. Jones, “I was given a contract to sign stating that I would now have to assume the tasks previously performed by the Parks Department all this time. I am just not physically able to do those things. I also was not offered any monetary compensation to cover these extra duties.”
The duties she is referring to include putting out all signage, some very heavy, then taking down after the event; climbing ladders to put light bulbs in all campsites, then taking them down again; taping off the floors to mark booth spaces, which requires getting down on the floor; sweeping and moping both buildings at the fairgrounds; janitorial duties including trash; and more.
“I hate that Darlene decided this wasn’t a position she wanted anymore,” says Councilman Kenny Hughes.
“I support market days and want to see it work,” Councilman Hughes explains. “I think it is something great for people to get out and do. It brings outsiders here to see what a great community we have and how nice the people are.”
Hughes concludes, “I believe it’s a difficult task for the Council to figure out the best way to make this successful, as we are not in this type of business. We need someone with experience to get out there and make it work.”
“I’m absolutely a proponent of Market Days,” says Councilman Randy Johnson. “We need to keep it going for sure. It’s the only community event we have on a monthly basis; and it provides some small business activity for the vendors while bringing people to our community.”
“I believe we need to sit down and collectively pull together to figure out what needs to be done, resolve any issues that continue to exist, and continue to provide this event,” Councilman Johnson explains. “We have a lot of smart, resourceful people in this town; and I’m confident we can make it work!”
If you feel you have what it takes to make Fairfield Market Days a success, contact Jeff Looney at 903-389-2633.
