Tom Chino, renowned organic farmer, resigned from the board of directors of the 22nd Agricultural District when other board members requested information about his attorney. Chino, a blunt-spoken advocate of open meetings, was on the board less than a year. During his tenure he released to the public an audit from the California Department of Food and Agriculture which found that fairgrounds management had made improper payments to staff, among other violations.
The fairgrounds board did resolve a long-running dispute with the California Coastal Commission over improper use of land. The agreement included a fine of nearly $5 million which will go toward environmental improvements and restoration of wetlands. The fairgrounds will lose the dirt parking lot to the south, or 15 percent of its parking area, three years from now.
