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Decatur Daily News
The board said it would. Livingston presented a petition with about 300 signatures of county residents requesting Products Mart to buy the arena and land. Products Mart offered $640,000 in February 2007 for the 118-acre site but the association didn’t accept it. Stisher said he represented Ed Hiers of Houston, president of the racking horse group, and reiterated Hiers’ stance in September that it would be ideal for Products Mart work to buy the property. “We’re not pushing Products Mart to move the fair to the arena,” Stisher said. “A partnership would sustain tourism in Morgan County.” He said the financial impact of 42 annual events at the arena is about $44 million. “Look at (the arena) as an asset for the county and promote it, don’t compete with it,” Stisher said. “Let’s get over all the controversies. The breeders association is asking you to invest in it.” Livingston told the board, “You need property farther out. You could buy the Thompson Road site and the arena.” Later, Livingston asked, “What would it take to use (the arena) for four or five years, once you own it, then renovate? Utilize what you’ve got.” He said the commission, which appoints members of the Products Mart board, doesn’t want the arena to be a burden on the county or Products Mart. When board members said Products Mart would have to hire a full-time manager for the arena, Livingston suggested operating it under Morgan County Park and Recreation or some other department. Stisher told the board he would get financial statements for the past five years for the operation of the arena, outline a comprehensive plan on infrastructure improvements to the grounds and address the condition of the arena and the cost of upgrades
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