Lawsuit targets leaders of fair

A Kalispell man is suing the Flathead County Fair Board and fair Manager Mark Campbell in an apparent attempt to bring horse racing back to town.

In a handwritten, one-page civil complaint filed on July 8, Ronald Thibert alleged that Campbell doctored a roster for the 2014 Relay Race. The relay is a popular event at the Northwest Montana Fair.

“His intention was not to give me the original,” Thibert said.

He claims that Campbell “whited out” the name of a female entrant because she was an employee at the fair. She didn’t take part in the relay that year, according to Thibert.

The allegation Thibert wrote on the complaint is that Campbell provided a “bogus” relay roster. When pressed by the Daily Inter Lake, Thibert was vague about why Campbell would do this. He said that he suspected Campbell didn’t want the employee to enter because it would offend the Native American participants.

Campbell declined to comment before the county submits a response to the allegations. He did say that his office is committed to having open and transparent practices.

Thibert also named the Flathead County Fair Board as a defendant. He said that when he brought his complaint before the board, it refused to act.

Thibert’s request for judgment in this case is substantial. He wants the county to pay $300,000 annually — in perpetuity — “to have horse racing in Kalispell,” according to the complaint.

The horse racing would be conducted by All Breeds Turf Club. Thibert is the secretary-treasurer of the Kalispell-based group.

Thibert also wants a shakeup in fair management.

“I’d like to see them remove the whole fair board, including Mark Campbell, the manager,” Thibert said.

Flathead County stopped paying for horse racing at the fair in 2006, citing losses of up to $10,000 per day to cover the events.

With private support, All Breeds Turf Club was able to host horse races in 2010 and 2011, but that money dried up and the races ceased.

The Relay Race has stayed on as an annual event.

Campbell said that he has received notice of the lawsuit, and an answer to the complaint is in the works.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.